Inventory Your Mind
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
~ Philippians 4:8-9, ESV
Inventory Your Mind
(Phil 4:8-9)
Intro:
A. Last week we began a short series of lessons that I am calling “Inventory Your Mind.” What we learned from Paul is that the peace of God is what guards our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ. We saw how real peace is that which keeps us in a relationship with God so that our chaos of sin is done away with. Paul wants us to reframe life from this worldly point of view that pushes self to be the center of all things, to seeing life as a continual journey with God as our guide.
B. We all want the peace of God, but Paul is going to push us to find if we are willing to do the mental work it takes to have the peace of God so deeply that our anxiety that we make is diminished, because we are seeing with eyes of God.
C. So to that end, we come to two verses in which we will ponder for a couple of weeks. In our text, verse 8 ends with the “think on these things.” Verse 9 ends with, “practice these things and the God of peace will be with you.” So the point is clear, if we get the “these things” inventoried in our mind, we know the result is a life of peace in a world of chaos.
I. It Starts In YOUR Mind
A. Before we look at a couple of the words in our text, I want you to a feel of the idea Paul is teaching us. His point is that until we think on higher, godlier things, we will find ourselves thinking about ourselves, and that may or may not be godly.
B. Let’s start with a passage that is found in Matthew and Mark. The context is, Jesus had taken the Twelve up to Caesarea Philippi and asked them to think about who he was in comparison to what other people say. Peter makes the statement, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”
C. The next paragraph has Jesus talking about how he will have to be killed at the hands of the elders and chief priests, to which Peter “took Jesus aside” to rebuke Jesus.
D. Look at the passage (Matt. 16:22). Here is what Jesus says (Matt. 16:23). I want you see is that what Peter says is a hindrance/stumbling block. It is such a powerful attack on Jesus that he calls Peter’s suggestion as coming from Satan and not God. The way you think, the way you frame the circumstances you are in, are either based upon Satan’s desires or God’s desires.
E. When Paul has us inventory our mind, when he calls upon us to “think on these things,” he knows what the outcome will be if we don’t. You have to decide what you want to fill your mind with. Much of the spiritual war we fight has its basis in our mind. Our mind affects the words we say, the emotions that rise to the top, how we see others and how we view God. So this series of messages is important. God is asking us to do some self-reflection, but more importantly, God is helping us see how we can have a life of peace that so many of us desperately want.
II. That Which Is…True
A. So Paul begins his inventory with the phrase, “Whatever is true.” Paul’s teaching is that we fill our mind with that which is true, so that truth becomes our nature. The word is a little different than truth, in that this word centers upon that which is real, authentic, and genuine.
B. In John 6 Jesus calls his flesh “true” food and his blood “true” drink. They couldn’t handle that talk and everyone seemed to leave him. What makes the flesh and blood of Jesus “real?” When our life is sustained by taking in Jesus we see that which true.
C. Paul was in chains, yet this letter centers on that which is positive. How can Paul do that? His mind centers on these things. The truth that he keeps in his head and heart is that Jesus has prepared for him a home that is beyond anything this world could offer. When your future is so secure in your mind, you can live through the trials and struggles in life differently than the person who has to have this life “perfect” to find peace. Heaven is true, not fantasy.
D. When you think about a person or situation, ask yourself this question “Is what I am thinking true or is it a preconceived idea?” Here is what I mean. We hold on to anger much longer than is healthy. Why? Because we play out the story in our head, we become judge, and we win the case every time. But is that true? Is your thinking the reality of the situation or your perception of the person? When I think on things that are true, I see what is real.
III. That Which Is…Honorable/Noble
A. The next phrase Paul uses is, “That which is honorable.” The two words used in most translations are “honorable” or “noble.” But do those words really mean much to you? When Paul writes to Timothy and Titus, he uses this word when talking about older men, deacons, and women, but when we translate this word there, we often use the phrase, “worthy of respect.” It’s a word that carries the idea of reverence.
B. I have to be careful not to fill my mind with things that are spiritually unhealthy for me. I want to “think on things that from above.” For me, the practical side of this is thinking about what how I can live a life “worthy of my calling.” I want to live a life that my wife and kids can respect. That is intentional living. It is making wise choices about what I do, where I go, who I spend time with, what I choose to watch on TV and many other things. The world has a great influence upon us, but I want to think about things that are honorable, noble, worthy of respect and so that my life reflects my thoughts.
Conclusion:
A. As we walk through these words over the next couple of weeks, the challenge is to do more than gain information. I want to ask you to examine your thought. Inventory you mind. What is that you really spend time thinking about, because as you do that you, you will see what your heart really desires and what often becomes your actions and goals in life.
B. Just start with trying to ask yourself if your thoughts are true and worthy of respect. Let your mind find the good in people and smile about what true. When you fill your mind with the good, even your more difficult days will have some strength in them.
C. Peace is a gift from God. Not only is God’s peace guarding your mind and heart, but when you think on the positive, talk the positive, tell others what is good in them, you will experience the God of peace at work in you.
D. If we can pray for you and your spiritual journey, or if there is something you need to share with this family that we can support you in a time of difficulty, then come as we stand and sing.
Because of Jesus,
Jeffrey Dillinger, minister