Title: “Winning the War of Our Minds” Script: Phil. 4:8-9
Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 8-27-23
Intro: We are living in a day and age of uncertainty and conflict. The largest war in Europe since WWII is presently being fought in Eastern Europe. There are currently 32 major conflicts in the world at present. There are a few places, including China and Taiwan, as well as Niger, Chad, and Nigeria, where in a moment, literally millions of combatants could be at war in a matter of hours. In S. Africa the leader of the ANC Party is calling for the genocide of those citizens born of Boer decent. IN the Middle East, a powder keg sits ready to explode if the wrong match is lighted. Culturally, morally, and in some ways intellectually, the Western World seems to be in freefall mode. However, I would like to submit to you today that the greatest area of conflict today is not international, political, economic, or social. Rather, the greatest area of conflict in the world today is the battle for control of our minds. The average American is exposed to 4,000-10,000 ads per day. That's nearly double the number of ads the average person saw in 2007 and over five times as many ads as the average person saw in the 1970s (Zippa, 6-28-22). American rates of depression and anxiety requiring medication are at their highest levels in history. Friend, in the unseen world, there is a continuous conflict going on between Jesus Christ and Satan for the control of your mind. The wisest man who ever lived wrote: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7). The most valid test of what a person really is, is not what they say, but rather, what they think about. What do you and I think about? Do you and I have peace in our minds? I would like to suggest 3 actions we can take so as to better win the war of our minds.
Prop: In Phil. 4:8-9, Paul prescribes 3 actions we should take so as to win the war of our minds.
BG: 1. We are now entering the final chapter of Phil. Paul is giving very practical applications.
2. IN this section Paul gives believers a list to keep minds focused on when fighting war for our minds.
Prop: Let’s exam. Phil. 4:8-9 to see 3 actions Paul prescribes to win the war of our minds.
I. Carefully Consider What You Allow Your Mind to Think About. V.8a
A. We are Living in A Day and Age of Mental Conflict.
1. The Successful Disciple of Christ Realizes the Greatest Spiritual Battle takes Place in our Mind.
a. “Finally” – Paul is coming to his last point. Back in Phil. 3:1, Paul used the word “Finally”, however, he wasn’t really done yet. Maybe the apostle was simply proving that he was a preacher, saying he was done when he still had 15 minutes to go. But now, he is wrapping up his letter with these practical applications. He has a very important point to make for Christians.
b.
2. The Successful Christian Must Realize the Importance of Disciplining His/Her Mind.
a. Rom. 12:2 tells us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Illust: In every generation, every culture there is a dominant prevailing spirit. “The Germans coined a word for it, Zeitgeist, a term that joins two common ideas together. Zeit is the German word for "time," Geist is the German word for "spirit." So Zeitgeist means "spirit of the time" or "spirit of the age." The contemporary Zeitgeist in which the Christian lives is one of secularism. The emphasis is on this world, on this time. Little attention is given to things that are above and beyond this world. Eternity is rarely considered, save for brief moments at a graveside. What counts is the here and now. To live for the moment, for the gusto of the present, is the spirit of this world.” (RC Sproul, The Theater of Redemption).
b. Illust: When I was in college, I worked for a period of time at factory that produced the front fenders for Ford pick up trucks. It was dangerous work. I never saw the dry erase board noting days without injuries in the plant go beyond three! My line ran pieces of sheet metal the length and nearly width of a twin bed. Two operators would each grab a piece of sheet metal, load their individual piece on their side of the massive stamping press, and together press the button that would send the multiple ton press crashing down onto the raw materials. By the end of the line, what was rectangular piece of sheet metal was now the front fender of an F150. The purpose of the stamps was to conform that metal to a specific image. Each stamp bent and formed the metal a little more. Wasn’t done all at once. Same is true for each of us in our minds. Either the system of the world is going to daily mold and shape you into its likeness, or the Word of God and the HS will shape you into the likeness of the mind of Christ.
B. The Apostle Outlines 8 Items Upon Which to Think if the Christian is to Be Successful in Winning the Battle of the Mind.
1. I would like to offer to you what Dr. J. Vernon McGee once said about this verse: “This verse is the shortest biography of Christ ever written.” In other words, every word the apostle uses, finds its absolute perfection in the Person, Work, and Life of Christ. So when we think about these 8 items we automatically think of Christ as the perfect standard. True – Jesus is the truth. (Jn. 14:6), Honorable – Christ is worthy of respect. Pure – Christ is pure. Lovely – Christ is gracious, Good repute – Has there ever been another in history with the reputation equal to Christ’s? Excellent – Christ alone was perfection. He alone completely satisfied the Father’s requirement for justice. Worthy of Praise – What will the anthem of eternity be? Rev. 5:12 – “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
2. Let’s Examine these 8 Items of Consideration a Little More Closely.
a. True- The word means, “true as to fact ... it denotes the actuality of a thing” (G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament [Charles Scribner’s Sons], p. 20). The “true” is that which corresponds to reality. God Himself is the only final test for truth. Since He is unchanging, the moral standards revealed in His Word, which stem from His holy nature, are also unchanging. When a man pretends to be a woman and swims or competes in powerlifting against biological women and wins in a landslide. We all know it’s a farce. We all know its not “true” competition. Paul says to think on what is factual. Very important if you are a very subjective person.
b. Honorable- The word means “that which inspires reverence or awe; dignified, worthy of respect.” It is a character quality required in deacons and deaconesses (1 Tim. 3:8, 11). Elders should keep their children under control “with all dignity” (1 Tim. 3:4). All Christians should “lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2). Have fun as a Christian, but don’t be a silly person. Be men of honor. Be women worthy of respect.
c. Right- This word is used of God Himself who is righteous (Rom. 3:26; 1 John 2:29; 3:7). To think on what is right means to think on the holy nature of God, especially as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, and to model our behavior after Him.
d. Pure – The word refers to ceremonial purity, but also to the moral purity that is pictured by the ceremonial. It especially means keeping our bodies undefiled by abstaining from sexual sins. In Eph. 5:3 Paul says: “But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” Don’t sleep around. Clean up your mouth. Do you actually think you can praise the Lord with your mouth and then curse, swear, and use profanity? As James says, do you get clean and unclean water from the same spring? No!
e. Lovely- This word occurs only here in the New Testament. It means what is pleasing, agreeable, and attractive. At times we all find ourselves attracted to that which is evil. But this word must be taken with the context, meaning that which is both pure and attractive. Jesus Christ is inherently attractive, and so we should think often on our lovely Savior, who gave Himself for us on the cross
f. Good Repute- This comes from a compound word meaning to speak well of something It refers to something that “deservedly enjoys a good reputation” (F. F. Bruce, New International Biblical Commentary, Philippians [Hendrickson], p. 146). As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, love believes the best about another person, it refuses to believe an evil report about a brother or sister until there is certain evidence to establish it
g. Excellent – The word “excellence” (NASB, NIV) means moral virtue. This is the only time Paul uses the word. Peter uses it as a quality of God and thus as the first quality that we are to add to our faith (2 Pet. 1:3, 5). This means that as a new Christian, one of the first things you must do is to stop any behavior that is not in line with God’s moral virtues as revealed in the Bible. (Paul’s list of the deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).
h. Worthy of Praise –The word “praise” is used both of what is praiseworthy in God (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14; Phil. 1:11) and in people (Rom. 2:29; 13:3; 1 Cor. 4:5). Of course, every attribute and deed of God is praiseworthy, and so we should daily think about how great God is and on the marvelous He is. We should also be gracious by focusing on the strong points and good qualities of those in the world
C. Applic: Please the world or please God? This is the issue of every generation. To be conformed to this world is to risk the loss of one's eternal soul. The world places little value on the soul. A body in the hand is worth two souls in the bush, according to the Zeitgeist of our generation. The world spirit invites us to play now and pay later, with no actual thought of paying later.
II. Purposely Position Your Mind to Dwell on These Items. V8b.
A. Paul calls the Christian to Meditate on These Specific Items.
1. You may ask: “Are Christians Supposed to Meditate?”
a. “let you mind dwell on these things,” Some of your translations may say: “think on these things”, could translate it “meditate”, which of course means to give attention to it, to mull it over in your mind, to be occupied with it, to continually focus your attention on it.”
b. Illust: This summer I did a little home improvement project. We had a front stoop made of concrete that was pulling away from the house. Problem was, have an overhang that was connected to it. Over the years put up with it, put continued to pull away and roll forward, the overhang began to hang more and over less. We got bids from contractors but price was pretty excessive. About a year ago my wife bought me a little book from Menards on how to build decks. (I knew what she was thinking!) Gave it a glance and put that book in my night stand. Winter dragged on. Carol sweetly began to tell me how nice a new front porch would look when all family came in for Luke and Mary’s wedding. I got the book out and began to read. Think about. Meditate on. Watched Youtube. Asked Pastor Richard. More I thought about more questions I had. More questions, more potential problems and answers to research. I bet I built that porch 100 times in my mind before Daniel and I dug the first footer. Why did I take so long to “dwell” on project? Because everyone was going to be able to see it! (Same is true in our spiritual lives too! Want to be successful, meditate on the WOG.) (PS: The best part? I was quoted $10-12k. Did it for just under $2500!
2. Does Christian Meditation Differ from the World’s Version of Meditation?
a. The simple answer is, YES! Non-Christian, Eastern Meditation is all about one’s emptying of his or her mind. So, the goal of non-Christian meditation is emptying oneself of thoughts and consciousness. The Christian, however, is to fill his mind or focus his mind on the things of God. Example: Having quiet time. Verse. Point of Doctrine. Characteristic of God. Etc.
b. Illust: Ps 1:2 – “but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” If someone is to keep from following the counsel of the ungodly, from standing in the way of sinners, or sitting in the seat of mockers, his or her mind MUST be focused on the WOG. There in Ps. 1:2, David uses the word “meditate”. The word translated “meditate” originally meant “ruminate” or “chew the cud”. Cows have 4 distinct compartments in their stomachs. When Bessie “chews the cud” she is regurgitating a bolus of food into her mouth which she rechews and reswallows. We are to give attention to the things of God. Meditate on them. Chew on them. Chew on them some more. Give them consideration as deserves.
B. Purposely Position Your Mind so as to Combat Negative Thoughts and Emotions.
1. Christians are to be active and not passive in their thought life.
a. Illust: Mark Twain wrote, “What a wee little part of a person’s life are his acts and his words! His real life is led in his head, and is known to none but himself. All day long, the mill of his brain is grinding, and his thoughts, not those other things, are his history.” (Reader’s Digest [1/93], p. 155).
b. The Bible admonishes us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2. By Purposely Positioning Your Mind on these Items You will Naturally Combat Negativism.
a. Now, hear me very clearly,. I am no disciple of NV Peale or Robert Schuller, or any of the other prophets of the positive thinking or the name it claim it movement. However, the reality is America, and especially her youth are experiencing an epidemic of negative thoughts. I found some research that stated that in 1988 the avg person had 200 negative thoughts a day. Today, according to research conducted by the National Science Foundation* around 80% of our thoughts are negative. And we have around 12,000 - 50,000 thoughts daily. You would probably agree with me that 80% does not sound like a healthy ratio of negative thinking. What’s that mean? The average person outside of Christ is allowing negativity to consume them. Need Christ.
b. As Christians, we need to develop a God-centered worldview brings every issue, question, and cultural concern into submission to all that the Bible reveals, and it frames all understanding within the ultimate purpose of bringing greater glory to God. This task of bringing every thought captive to Christ requires more than episodic Christian thinking and is to be understood as the task of the church, and not merely the concern of individual believers.
C. Applic: Are you plagued by negativism and negative thinking? Dwell on the items Paul lists.
III. Faithfully Practice What You Have Seen in Others. V. 9
A. Paul Issues a Call for Courageous and Concerted Discipleship.
1. Paul encourages the Philippians to Practice what they have witnessed in him.
a. Look at the words the apostle uses four specific verbs. They are all Aorist Indicative Active 2nd Person Plural (Not to devolve to grammar lesson!) Telling all of his readers that by witnessing his life in the past they have: learned, received, heard, and seen him do this himself. This is such a powerful statement on the importance of discipleship, community, and relationship in Christ.
b. Thus, Christian conduct is built on the biblical content of the Christian faith. There is the intellectual component of the faith, which is grasped by the mind. There is the volitional component, yielding our will to receive God’s truth personally. There is the behavioral component, learning to put the Christian faith into daily practice. Finally, Paul says there is an emotional component too, you will experience peace with God.
2. As Believers, our lives should be dominated by Christ. Illust: Martyn Lloyd-Jones put it this way,... the gospel is not something we add to our lives, it is rather, something which should entirely dominate them. The Christian life, therefore, is not merely a modification of the natural life, it is a new life, and Christians do not merely add something to their lives, they are people who have been changed at the centre, they are entirely different (The Life of Peace [Baker], p. 191).
B. By Practicing You Will Find Peace.
1. Believers are to Follow the Good Examples of Others.
a. Illust: many forms of maritial arts have katas. Kata is a Japanese word (? or ?) meaning "form". It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements made to be practiced alone. Up until the 1930s katas were the primary means by which the knowledge of a specific martial arts form was handed down. The student watched the master. The student attempted to imitate the master. Watching, listening, practicing, moving, trying…
b. Paul tells his audience to “practice” these things. In other words, make a habit out of these things. Habits can be either your friend or your foe. Godly habits work for you, since they determine your daily routine in ways that help you grow in holiness. In Luke 4:16 we read that Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and then it says, “and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath ....” Jesus had a habit of spending the Sabbath with God’s people, worshiping God. We should have the same habit every Lord’s day. We should have the habit of reading God’s Word and praying each day.
2. Practicing may not make Perfect But it Does make for Peace.
a. Illust: When Paul says, “Practice these things,” the word implies doing something repeatedly until it becomes a habit or way of life. At first, habits feel awkward and unnatural. In 1980 my father bought a Toyota SR5 because of gas prices. Had a manual transmission. Grown up riding motorcycles so was a bit easier for me. It seemed like there were a million things to remember and do all at once. Stopped on a hill or ice! But over time became fun and didn’t even think about and could feel when to shift by hearing the rpms of the engine. So it is in the Christian life!
b. Elisabeth Elliot once overheard her young daughter singing to her cat, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like you!” We’re all like that; the truth applies to the other guy! “If just my wife and kids would apply this to their lives, we’d have a happy family!” No, I need to apply the content of the Christian faith to my daily conduct. Then, the God of peace with be with me. Let’s all practice being doers of the Word and not hearers only who deceive themselves!
C. Applic: Christian, do you have peace in your life? If not, may I challenge you to practice what Paul is stating?
