What is the Key to Godly Living?

Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church is a letter of joy.  He encouraged them how to respond to adversity in the church, specifically a conflict between two women that was dividing the church. 

 

Last week, we saw in 4:2-7 his encouragement to rejoice in the Lord, relax because Jesus is returning soon, and request or pray to the Lord about all things.  Instead of allowing your mind to be dominated by worry and anxiety, do something else.  Think on the opposite. 

 

What is the key to godly living?  The key to godly living is godly thinking.  Right thinking leads to righteous living. 

 

The secular world knows this.  When you put garbage in, do you know what you get in return?  Garbage in translates into garbage out. 

 

However, long before GIGO, we had Solomon and Jesus.  See Proverbs 23:7 and Mark 7:20-23.

 

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

 

20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

 

 

Exposition

Today, we see Paul encouraged right thinking.  He then advocated righteous living. 

 

Look at the end of verse 8.  Meditate on these things or your Bible may say think or dwell. 

 

The idea is to take into account or consider.  Then reflect.  Then let that truth shape your behavior. 

 

Behavior is seen in verse 9.  Paul says do these things.  So again, the key to godly living is godly thinking.  Right thinking leads to righteous living. 

 

Therefore, what should occupy our thoughts if not worry and anxiety?  For the Christian, Paul outlined six (6) virtues in verse 8.  Notice also that he doesn’t have just one thing in mind.  He used that plural phrase “whatever things” six times.

 

Now let’s look at the virtues.

 

First, think on whatever things are true.  This is opposed to false.  Brothers and sisters, a lot on Facebook and Instagram is NOT true.  Discipline yourself not think and meditate and dwell on social media.

 

Second, think on whatever things are noble.  This is also translated dignified or worthy of respect.  Television and movies often fall short of noble.

 

Third, think on whatever things are just.  Your Bible may say right or fair.  Stop dwelling on your think that referee caused your team the game.  Stop thinking about how you think your boss or supervisor treated you unfairly.  Stop thinking about how your friend or family member hurt you with their words. 

 

Fourth, think on whatever things are pure.  The idea here is wholesome and holy.  In other words, don’t let your mind continually dwell on sin.  For example, stop thinking about life with that other person who is not your spouse.  Stop thinking of how you would retaliate for your hurt.

 

Fifth, think on whatever things are lovely.  Lovely things make for peace as opposed to conflict. 

 

Sixth, think on whatever things are of good report.  Think positive thoughts instead of negative.  Instead of dwelling on all of the short comings of EBC, dwell on our strengths.  Instead of dwelling on all of the short comings of Rains ISD, dwell on the good.  Instead of dwelling on all of the weaknesses of your spouse, dwell on the positive. 

 

Whatever things are virtuous and or worthy of praise, meditate, think, dwell on these things.  Change your way of thinking.  Habitually guard your mind.

 

Jesus was getting at this in His sermon the mount. See Matthew 5:21-22 and 5:27-30.

 

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

 

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

 

First, meditate on what is praiseworthy.  Second, imitate the Apostle Paul.

 

In verse 9, Paul said these do.  What are these?  These are the things Paul taught (learned and received) and what Paul did (heard and saw). 

 

However, here’s the key in imitating a human.  Imitate them as they imitate Christ.  See 1 Corinthians 11:1.

 

1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

 

Naturally, I will disappoint you.  Paul will disappoint you. 

 

However, when I am living supernaturally imitating Christ and being led by the Holy Spirit, follow me and follow Paul.  Godly thinking leads to godly living.  Right thinking leads to righteous living. 

 

Conclusion/Invitation

So here is today’s invitation.  First, for my brother and sisters in Christ, win the battle of your mind.  Make it a daily habit to guard your mind and think on the things of the Lord.  Godly thinking leads to godly living.  Right thinking leads to righteous living.

 

If you are not at peace with God through Jesus Christ, that is your first order of business.  Be at peace with God through Jesus Christ and receive the peace of God.

 

Admit that you are a sinner.  Believe that Jesus died on the cross for you sins and in your place.  Confess Him as Lord and Savior.  Call on Him to save you!