Think On These Things – Philippians 4
‘And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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 on these things.’ — Philippians 4:7–8
The mind is one of the most amazing organs God has given us. The mind can be a force for great good or great evil. As part of our entire beings, we are to love the Lord our God with all of our minds (Mark 12:30).
Notice several truths from Philippians 4 about the mind of a child of God:
- The Lord Jesus dramatically changes our thinking which should impact the way we live (v.1-3). Paul urged the Philippians generally to ‘stand fast in the Lord’ and Euodias and Syntyche specifically to ‘be of the same mind in the Lord’. The Lord is the One that makes the difference and the more we focus on Him the more unity there will be between people.
- The Lord fills our minds with joy and lives with gentleness (‘moderation’) (v.4-5). As we focus on the Lord and meditate on who He is and what He has done, we can greatly rejoice no matter the circumstances. Paul was in prison yet he urged them to rejoice in the Lord. The source of the Christians’ joy and kindness is the truth of who Christ is, the power of the Spirit of Christ in them, and the promise of the Lord’s imminent return.
- The Lord wants our minds to be occupied with praying to Him not worrying (v.6). Nothing should cause worry in our lives because we take everything to the Lord in prayer. We should give our requests, our fears, and our thoughts to the Lord. And we should do all of this with thanksgiving.
- The Lord’s peace keeps our hearts and minds (v.7). Through Jesus, God guards our hearts and minds. He works to remind us of what is truth, what is right, and how we are loved and secure in Christ. We are responsible for what we put in our minds, for what we do with our minds, and what we choose to think about. But it is also comforting to know that God is working to guard our hearts and minds. We belong to Him and He protects us.
- The Lord wants us to think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report (v.8). He says to think on things that are virtuous and praiseworthy. Nothing is more true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good than God’s Word. The child of God should choose to meditate on the virtuous and praiseworthy Word of God.
- The Lord instructs us to then do good things and to follow good examples (v.9). It’s not by accident that this verse about doing follows a verse on thinking. What we think about affects what we do. As we read God’s Word and think about Him and other examples, our behaviour will be changed. Ultimately, this brings peace to our hearts, our minds, and our lives, because the ‘God of peace’ is with us and we are living out who we are in Him.
So, what are you thinking about? What are you meditating on? What consumes your mind? Good things or bad things?
Do you spend your day worrying or praying? Do you spend your day praising or complaining? Do you find your joy in the Lord or are you trying to find joy in the emptiness of this world?
If you are saved, then you can rest in the God of peace, the God who keeps your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.