Whatever

Whatever

Philippians 4:8-13

Good morning.

betterup.com asked the question, “Can anyone develop a positive mindset, or are you born with it?

The truth is, everyone can adopt a more positive mental attitude.

Developing a more positive orientation can improve your mood, relationships, job and life satisfaction.

Research has found that a positive outlook has a real impact on your physical health, too.

According to the positive mental attitude philosophy, a positive mindset is synonymous with hope, optimism, courage, and kindness.

It also means not giving in to negativity and hopelessness even in difficult situations.

A positive mindset is a choice. It promises that when you choose to look on the bright side of life and make the best out of any situation, you’ll create a better reality for yourself.” BUT

What does the Lord say about having a positive mental attitude?

Please open your Bibles to Philippians 4, as we continue in our verse-by-verse study of Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Philippi.

Last week, Paul encouraged his readers to remain in the faith as he instructed Christians how to have God’s peace.

To stand fast is a verb that means to remain in the same position or to refuse to abandon one’s opinion or belief.

We learned about two women who were causing some dis-unity in the church so, instead of Paul choosing sides, he told them to be like-minded.

During a disagreement, if both sides become like-minded, die to themselves, serve the Lord, and seek the Lord’s wisdom, then love can cover a multitude of sins and offenses.

Then Paul again mentioned the main theme of the letter to the Philippian church, to rejoice always.

Despite the circumstances Paul faced while writing this letter, joy was the main theme of the letter to the Philippians.

Having an unhealthy, ungodly, or unproductive mindset can adversely affect every part of our lives, including the way we view the Lord and our walk with Him.

Finally, Paul said to be anxious for nothing, as a command, not a suggestion. Philippians 4:6 means to, “Stop worrying about anything and pray about everything”.

We receive perfect peace and abundant life as we change our perspective and see things the way the Lord sees them.

Authentic Prayer gives us eternal vision and changes our hearts.

Today's passage instructs us to change our focus and promises that the Lord will give us what we need to accomplish His will.

I. A godly focus brings peace.

Read Philippians 4:8-9

Many psychologists have learned what Paul had communicated to these first-century Christians back then, that to meditate on godly things brings peace.

The human mind is so complex that no doctor or scientist can fully comprehend the mind’s activities or abilities.

But the Lord, the Creator of all things, including the human mind, has revealed the secret to finding peace through Paul.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, NKJV

Philippians 4:8 has an obvious meaning, but let’s define some of the words Paul used in this verse.

• Whatever things are true = when we are depressed or negative, we can be focused on things that are not true.

Warren Wiersbe said, “This does not mean we hide our heads in the sand and avoid what is unpleasant and displeasing,

“But it does mean we do not focus our attention on dishonorable things and permit them to control our thoughts.” (Wiersbe)

We live in a world where truth is subjective (“My truth might not be your truth”), but the Lord clearly said His Word is truth.

• Whatever things are noble.

This reads as dignified in other passages. It means personal moral excellence, or worthy of honor, i.e., a noble life.

By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we become dignified, noble, and honorable.

• Whatever is just. We have a baseline for what is “just” or “right”, and it is the unchanging character of God.

When we have God’s unchanging character as our firm foundation then we can meditate on what’s “just” or “right” with our thoughts and actions.

• Whatever things are pure. Wiersbe said, “Pure probably refers to moral purity, since the people then, as now, were constantly attacked by temptations to sexual impurity.”

Whatever things are pure is moral purity in thought.

• Whatever things are lovely. This is speaking of lovely thoughts, but it also speaks about lovely things to behold.

Ray Stevens sang, “Everything is beautiful in its own way”. Like a starry summer night, on a snow-covered winter's day.

And everybody's beautiful in their own way, under God's heaven, the world's gonna find the way.”