Title: How to attain the peace of God
Theme: To show the importance of our thinking.
Text: Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think (walk) on (in) these things. Phil 4:8
Begin by reading the verse. In place of think use the word walk. Do not let on that you have missed this. Even go out into the audience and read their Bible. Ask the question: Do you realize the implication that this could have?
How many other people out here has Bibles that read the same? What version are you reading? Are you sure?
Maybe this would it explain it. Look with me at the book of Matthew 5:21-30
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:21-30 AV)
Do you think that this was what Jesus was trying to say on the sermon on the mount? Maybe he was trying to tell us that it is not just the action that you take but it is the thought that you have. Maybe that if we have thought the thought then we have already sinned. Boy! that could have some implications.
Now I understand it but to me I don’t see it in action. I don’t hear much about it. Hum maybe this thought thing has something going for it.
Let me ask you another question, maybe this is a little far fetched, do you think that if we get it right in here (pointing to the heart) and in here (pointing to the head) then it would be better out here. Do you think that maybe the things we think upon will affect our love for one another? Or even how we think?
Well maybe we need to look closely at this verse and if how we think is so important then maybe we need to see how we should be thinking.
Casting Down Strongholds
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ
Strongholds-barriers, stronghold is a mind-set that accepts a situation as unchangeable, even though that situation is contrary to the will of God.
1. A stronghold is the thing other than the Lord that dominates your thoughts.
2. A stronghold is anything that you cannot put down for God.
3. A stronghold is that area of your life that you have thought in your mind, “I will never change”.
4. A stronghold in your life is that thing in your life that the Lord has convicted you of yet you keep going back to it.
5. A stronghold could be a sin that you have been fighting over a period of times.
6. A stronghold
Casting down imaginations-tearing down false things in our mind
Bringing into captive every thought to the obedience of Christ-
Getting our thoughts under control
Fearful mind, confused mind, tolerant mind, judgmental mind
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13-17 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Philippians 4:8 Exposition
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
True (resting in reality) Do we know any truth? Jesus said in
John 14:6 I am the way the truth and the life
whatsoever things are honest,
Honest (honorable, worthy of reverence)
What is honest? Do you know someone who is honest? When you find people who are dishonest how about thinking on one who is hones.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (Romans 12:17 AV)
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. (2 Corinthians 8:21 AV)
whatsoever things are just,
Just (righteous relations between man and man, and man and God)
Is our system of justice just. Just mean right. What is done is right.
whatsoever things are pure,
Pure (Stainless, chaste, unsilled)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8 AV)
whatsoever things are lovely,
Lovely ( loveable, endearing, amiable, gracious, charming, pleasing, winsom)
What is lovely? We know flowers are lovely? Why? because they are appealing to the eye.
whatsoever things are of good report;
Of good report (fair speaking)
Who is of good report?
if there be any virtue,
If there be any virtue (mental moral and physical excellence)m
and if there be any praise,
If there be any praise (something deemed worthy of praise)
think on these things. Phil 4:8
I read once that "thoughts are an index of character" What kind of thoughts do you have? Why do you have them? Now I understand that satan will bring back to remembrance the things of the past. He will tempt us with ideas. But what do we do, do we dwell upon them and think that they are doing no harm. I wonder.
Think on these things.
Christianity is more than just a doing religion. It is not just action but it is also thinking. Then the thinking leads to action.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (Proverbs 23:7 )
It is easy to think of all the negatives that happen in this world. The violence the crime. The sin the desolation. But maybe we need to meditate on what is good. God created this world. This is God’s world so there is good. There are good people who serve the Lord. There are good places to go. There are good things to see. Think on these things.
Conclusion
What imaginations have you left out? What things are you battling today that is just a matter of the thought? Have you turned all of your thoughts over to the Lord?
