Thursday, November 12, 2026
Guard Your Mind – Phil 4:8-9 submitted by Kay Crumley
The Rooted study this term is on Philippians. Paul wrote the letter from a Roman prison to the church in Philippi who had been a faithful supporter of Paul’s. He is concluding the letter with some important truths. He had told them in verses 4-7 to rejoice, don’t worry, and pray about everything. That will give us peace in Christ Jesus. Galatians 5:22 tells us that peace is a fruit of the Spirit. We cannot have peace from our own effort. The Greek word for peace is Eirene which means inner tranquility and harmony with God and others. This peace is from God, not from human efforts. Which leads Paul to teach us how to maintain that peace.
8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
This list of things to dwell on may seem hard to apply, so consider each one. True things align with God’s truth, the reality of His Word. Honorable things are noble and worthy of respect. Just things are right, fair, and upright according to His Word. Pure things are clean and uncorrupted. Lovely things inspire peace, beauty, and harmony. Commendable things, those of good report, are gracious and constructive. Praiseworthy things are of high moral virtue and honors God. He tells us to dwell on these things. Dwell is to settle in or make a home in rather than just an overnight stay or short visit. Allow your mind to settle in to thinking this way habitually. That state of mind requires active training. Whenever you find your mind wandering to thoughts outside those listed you must consciously refocus on those things that will bring peace by honoring God and the teachings of His Word.
Paul invites us to use him as our example. To live by what he has taught in his letters and the example of how he lived. We know that Paul’s life was completely turned from pursuing Christ followers to persecute them to being the most traveled and dedicated missionary for Jesus Christ. He demonstrated a life if dedication, being ‘all in’ for the gospel. That life will allow the peace of God to be with us. Tony Evans says, “When we’re rejoicing and praying and dwelling on the right things and watching the right people, we don’t just have the peace of God, we have ‘the God of peace’. We get His peace and His presence.”
The current sermon series Stand Equipped for Battle message last Sunday was the Helmet of Salvation. The purpose of the helmet is to protect our mind and thoughts. Pastor Jim reminded us that Satan attacks our thoughts making the mind a spiritual battlefield. We must protect our mind from attacks by turning our thoughts to the things Paul lists. Then we can have the peace of God that comes only from the Spirit of God living in us.
