THE BATTLE OF THE MIND

Phil 4:8

How important is our mind when it comes

to spiritual growth?

The Christian mind should be fully engaged in love for God. Jesus said “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matt 22:37. In 1 Peter 1:13 we read “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, (to be unhindered of anything that will trip you up) and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” The bible says that sin wars against the mind. “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Rom 8:6-8. Before we can act we are to prepare our minds for battle against anything that pulls us away from God and godly living. Paul said “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Col 3:2. We are to set our mind on pure godly thoughts. We need to guard our heart as the wellspring of life, guarding carefully the input we put into it, as Paul explains here in this passage. See! You will become like what you’re thinking about! Like, produces like!

Filthy thoughts will produce a filthy life. 

And Godly thoughts will produce a godly life. 

High thoughts of God lead to a high life of godly living. 

If you have low thoughts of God, it will leads to low living, which ultimately lead to gutter living.

We live in a world system that promotes evil and laughs and shuns at righteousness and godly living. We live in a culture that is desperately trying to get your attention and fill your mind with worldly pleasures. The battle of the mind is serious! Jesus said “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38. We are to be heaven-minded; our lives are to be focused on Christ, so that we don’t wonder off into unholy, sinful living.

What are you filling your mind with?

Prov 4:23 says “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Keeping your heart and mind alert to anything trying to breach your heart and mind. David was very concerned for his mind when he prayed “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24

Can you pray that prayer? 

David knew that real change involves change of one’s thought life. What we think matters; and it matters more than we think. (v8) We need God’s Word to saturate our minds and God has set up guardrails so that we don’t careen off the cliff. Paul calls the believer to right thinking, virtues for the child of God, to prepare our minds as we go to battle over the mind.

1. Paul Says Actively Seek What Is True

What does this mean? Seeking what is true in the broadest sense, as it refers to the Bible. Truth for the child of God, begins and ends with the Word of God, and anything else is worthy of discernment and caution. Everything that is true is from God, because all truth is God’s truth “thy word is truth” Whatever God tells us to do we should do it, because it’s trustworthy and reliable, for genuine holy living. If the word says don’t do this (whatever your situation might be)! You, don’t do it! As Christian’s we obey Him because what He says is for our benefit and instruction. God’s truth isn’t a book of maybe’s or when you get a chance! It’s for our benefit of life and godliness.

Psalm 119 speaks that the Word of God is our best counsellor and comforter, and the only way to true blessedness.

(v9) “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

(v11) “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

(v89) “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”

(v105) “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

(v114) “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.”

(v142) “Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.”

(v160) “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

2. Paul Says To Actively Seek What Is Honorable.

“Honorable” means... whatever is dignifying, this is personal moral excellence that is worthy of honor, it’s a careful regard to one’s integrity, and righteous character! It’s not a character that seeks the approval of man, but of God. The reason being we are His representatives on the earth. Living a life pleasing to God that is displayed in our outward Behavior because you have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus! In other words “Get your mind off of low base things. Get your mind out of the gutter. Get your attention off of frivolous things and focus on honorable things.” Things that will bring honor to God in your life.

3. Paul Says To Actively Seek Whatever Is Just!

“Just” is defined by the character of God, “A right thought or action.” In the ancient times this word “right” was used of scales in the marketplace.

See! A standardized measure would be placed on one side of the scale and an amount of grain of equal measure would be poured onto the other side until the scales were balanced. And it’s at that point they would be said to be “right”. See! On one side of the scale of Christian living is the holiness of God and on the other side is what a believer focuses his or hers mind on. Our lives should be balanced by right living, which is equal to God’s Word.

Basically! Doing the right thing according to God’s perfect character.

If God hates sin! I must hate sin as well.

If God is love! I must hate what is unloving.

If God is holy.....I must hate what is ungodliness.

If God is just! I must hate what is wicked and wrong.

If God is true! I must hate what is untrue.

It’s saying no! When the world is saying yes! Prov 20:7 says “The righteous man walks in his integrity (moral, innocent); His children are blessed after him. Making right choices not only benefits the Christian, but our family....and that could permeate into the church. The conduct of good men proclaim their sound principles! You do this God says “his (your) children are blessed” Good things pass on to the children by making godly right choices.

4. Paul Says To Actively Seek Whatever Is Pure!

“Pure” means to properly clean, that is, (figuratively), to be innocent, modest, uncorrupted. This is behavior is not limited to your sexual purity, but in all areas of your moral life! From your sexuality..... to your actions...... and to your speech. This is your whole being! From the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep. We are to focus on what is not tainted with evil! But what is right and pure. As Romans 13:13-14 says “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry (wild parties, sexual orgies, brawls, riots) and drunkenness, not in lewdness (sexual immorality) and lust, not in strife and envy (jealousy, zeal). But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

5. Paul Says To Actively Seek Whatever Is Lovely!

“Lovely” means what is pleasing, agreeable, kind.....deeds that spring from love and inspires love in others. Paul is speaking of things that put others first over themselves.........it’s a selfless love! 1 Peter 4:8 says “And above all things have fervent love (means to be stretched to the limit, to be laboured) for one another, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS." Always ready to forgive a brother or sister of insults or unkindness by showing a passionate love toward the body of Christ. Why? Genuine active, wilful love, will always cover a multitude of his or hers sin and your own sin. We are to make every effort to remain focused upon what is truly lovely according to the Word of God.

6. Paul Says To Actively Seek Whatever Is Commendable!

“Commendable” means worthy of approval, trustworthy, courtesy, deserving of praise, well-spoken of, reputable, of good report. This is a kind of conduct that is spoken of highly by others about you and me! We as Christians need to be an example to others by living a life consistent to the gospel of peace. Again this goes back to chapter one of Philippians when Paul said “only let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel” Each and every one of us is a gospel message, so we are to handle it with care by conducting ourselves in a manner that is worthy of exalting Christ. Paul said “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” Eph 5:4. These forbidden things are not fitting for any believer who is pursuing holiness. Our active wills are to demonstrate a life that is TRUE, HONOURABLE, JUST, PURE, LOVELY and COMMENDABLE. 

Look what Paul says in (v9) We are to actively apply these things to our lives!

“Meditate” (means) to attend, dwell, and practice, to be diligent in, a habitual discipline.

“Mediate on these things or dwell on these things” is speaking in the “present tense”. This means we are to make careful calculations, take into account before we do something, every minute of every day.

This means that we should always be thinking on these things, First! 

This should be our common practice every day. 

This is where we are to examine our lives according to God’s word. 

There is never a day off from the requirement to do this.

This is where we find unity in the church and most of all a peace of mind and holy conduct. The evidence seen in (v9b) we have him as a testimony for the church. We have his life before our very eyes to see that it can be done. Paul said earlier? “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Phil 3:17. You too can make right choices in life. You too can make holiness more evident in your life. You too can find victory, unity and peace by following the steps that God has laid out for you and me! As John MacArthur says “Believers must be disciplined to add to their faith the proper attitudes, thoughts, and actions described in this passage. Only then will they develop spiritual stability in their lives.”

How is your walk doing according to these 6 truths?

Are you actively living and displaying these truths in our Life?

Is your mind captivated by the Word of God and godly examples?

We are to think and meditate on these truths so that we discipline the mind to focus on things of Christ. (v9) If there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise” this is what we should be doing in our lives. Only that which reflects high moral standards should dominate our thinking.

Think about it! If we dwell upon that which is excellent, we will live spiritually excellent. Why? Because our affections will be consumed with God’s goodness and this is well pleasing to God. Rom 12:1-2 remind us of our duty towards God and His goodness “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We are to practice what we preach to ourselves and to others. We are to demonstrate to others our desire to walk in holiness. And we need to understand that this battle over our minds. The battle of the Christian is the battle of the mind. What we feed on daily will affect our heart and our affections. Not one of us is exempt for this command by Brother Paul. Whether you’re the pastor or new babe in Christ. We are to dwell on the things of righteousness and holiness! Holy living. These virtues should define our lives and they should saturate our thinking. The battle of the Christian life is a battle of the mind. Lets’ focus on what God says we are to do and stop listening to the world. 

Mediate, dwell on, these things and lead by example.