A man got lost in the Sahara Desert. He had used up the last of his water two days before, and he was lying on the sand, gasping, when he suddenly heard a voice calling, “Mush! Mush!” He knew he was hallucinating and turned away—but then he heard it again, closer this time. “Mush! Mush!” He mustered up his strength, pulled himself to his knees, and squinted. There, of all things, he saw a Snow Sled Driver, bundled up in furs and driving a sled with a team of huskies across the dunes. He slowly lifted one arm and called, “Help!”
The driver pulled the sled to a halt next to him, the huskies panting in the heat. The man said to the sled driver, “I don’t know what you’re doing here or why, but am I glad to see you! I’ve been lost in this desert for days!” The Sled Driver, with sweat pouring down his brow, said, “You think you’re lost?” (1)
We can get lost sometimes too. I’m not talking about getting lost in a desert or even a physical location. We can get lost in our thoughts. We can think of things that are just downright wrong. These things can range from how we view ourselves, others, situations, and relationships. We can even have the wrong thoughts about God.
We should have sanctified thoughts. Sanctified is a fancy word that just means “set apart.” You might ask, “why is it important to have set apart thoughts?” The Bible says that how we think is an indicator of what we believe.
Romans 8:5 (NLT)
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.
As believers in Jesus, we don’t want to be controlled by our sinful nature anymore. We have been set free from the bondage of that nature through Christ. Our lives should be set apart from non-believers in part by how we think. If we are believers, we need to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
He is the one who can lead to peace in our lives.
Romans 8:6 (NLT)
6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
Why is it important to have set apart thoughts? First, because we have been set free from our carnal nature through Christ, and Second because Sanctified thoughts lead to peace.
Can’t we all use a little peace? In a world full of chaos, we need to find a place of rest, comfort, and peace. It all starts with how we think.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Because we have Christ, we can have peace. Our thoughts prove whether or not we are walking in peace. We will think about these things because we know God is with us no matter what we face. Our circumstances don’t determine our peace. Our thoughts on who God is and what He’s done in us are what gives us peace. He is with us!
Paul is writing to a church that was NOT in peace with each other. The church in Philippi was the first church in Europe, and the converts were mainly non-Jewish. Over time, that early church started to develop arguments about whether or not they had to follow the old testament laws to be saved.
They were preaching a “works” based religion instead of a “faith” based relationship.
Paul heard about it and decided to write them a letter to put an end to the division.
Paul had more significant issues to focus on in HIS life than these arguments.
He was actually in prison. He was an excellent example of a person with sanctified thoughts because instead of focusing on his circumstances, he was focused on God’s work.
I like what he said describing those people who were teaching that they had to follow the old testament laws to be saved.
Philippians 3:2 (NLT)
2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.
He called these divisive people dogs!
When Paul wrote to this church, his overall theme was to get them to focus on the things that matter. He encouraged them to have a single mind focused on the gospel in chapter one. He mentioned the Gospel 5 times in that chapter and Christ himself 17 times. He was single-minded in his mission and encouraged the same of those followers.
In chapter two, he encouraged them to have a submissive mind. Then, in verse 2, he told them that he would be so happy to hear that they were living in harmony. To live in harmony and unity, we must have a mind committed to loving other people.
In chapter three, he reminded them to have a spiritual mind. He told them to focus on what mattered in life - running your spiritual race. Our goal is not perfection but living a life in pursuit of a closer relationship with God which starts in our minds.
Chapter four tells the church that they have a mind that is single-focused, submitted to Christ and each other, and spiritually maturing. We can expect a secure mind because we KNOW God. He says in verse 5 that the Lord is WITH us.
Boiled down, verse 8 describes what a single-minded, submissive-minded, spiritual-minded, and secure-minded person thinks about all the time.
Not only that, it tells us that if we think about these things, then we will have peace that comes from God and peace knowing that God is with us! It’s a promise.
Here are the things we need to keep our mind on:
True, Pure, Right, Holy, Friendly, Proper, Worthwhile, and Worthy of Praise
If we keep our mind on these things, we prove that we are followers of Christ, and we will receive the promise of peace that goes beyond our circumstances. It’s more than people outside of our faith can comprehend.
I love it! What a blessing! What a promise.
Focus your mind on the right things, and your thoughts won't be lost, and you'll find peace.
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