Philippians 4:8-9 - From Right Thinking to Right Living

Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we conclude our study of Philippians 4:8. For the pastseveral days we have carefully walked through this remarkable verse. Paul hasgiven us a divine pattern for guarding our minds. He has taught us to think onthings that are True... Honorable... Just... Pure... Lovely... Of Good Report...Full of Virtue... And Worthy of Praise. But before we leave this verse, I wantus to step back and see the big picture. Paulis not merely giving us a list. He is describing the mind of Christ. Earlier inthis letter, in Philippians 2:5, Paul wrote, "Let this mind be in you,which was also in Christ Jesus." Now, in chapter 4, he shows us whatthat mind looks like. Everything on this list perfectly describes our LordJesus Christ. He is Truth. Everything about Him is honorable. Everything Hedoes is just. He is absolutely pure. His life is altogether lovely. EverythingHe says is of good report. He is the very definition of virtue. He alone isworthy of all praise. The more we think about Christ... The more we become likeChrist. Paulunderstood something we often forget. Our lives move in the direction of ourthoughts. That is why verse 8 comes before verse 9. First comes right thinking.Then comes right living. Listen to the opening words of verse 9: "Thosethings, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me,do..."Noticethe progression. Think... Then do. Meditate... Then practice. Truth believedbecomes truth lived. Foryears I have been reminded that the Christian life is much like building ahouse. Our thoughts are the foundation. Our words become the framework. Ouractions build the walls. Our habits put on the roof. Our character becomes thefinished house. Everything begins with the foundation. No wonder Solomon wrote,"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) Thebattle for the Christian life is truly the battle for the mind. That battle isbeing fought every day. It is fought by what we watch. What we read. What welisten to. What we meditate upon. What we allow to remain in our thoughts. Thewonderful news is that God has not left us defenseless. He has given us HisHoly Spirit. He has given us His Word. He has given us the privilege of prayer. Inverse 7 He promises the peace of God to guard our hearts.Inverse 8 He gives us the truth of God to guard our minds.Tomorrow,in verse 9, He gives us the God of peace to guide our lives. Whata beautiful progression! The peace of God guards our hearts. The truth of Godguards our minds. The God of peace guides our lives. Friend,this week, why not memorize Philippians 4:8? Write it on a card. Read it everymorning. Pray through each phrase. Use it as a filter for every thought thatenters your mind. As you do, you'll discover that God is not merely changingwhat you think. He is changing who you are. And when our minds become more likeChrist, our lives will become more like Christ. That is the goal of theChristian life. Tomorrowwe'll begin looking at verse 9 and discover that God's truth is never meantmerely to be admired. It is meant to be practiced. Let’sPray: Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful passage that teaches us howto guard our minds. Thank You for giving us the perfect example of the LordJesus Christ. May His mind increasingly become our mind. Help us to think Yourthoughts, love what You love, reject what dishonors You, and faithfullypractice what You teach us. May our lives point others to our wonderful Savior.In His precious name we pray. Amen. Godbless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!