The Epistle To The Philippians The Virtuous Mind

Do We Need Thought Control? Pink Floyd: We don’t need no education We don’t need no thought control Can I beg to differ? We DO NEED Thought Control In Philippians 4:8-9, Paul has a long discourse on thought control. He gives a list of eight positive virtues upon which we need to dwell.

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 8 virtues to dwell upon 4 positive examples to practice

So, what does it mean to dwell? Illustration: Thornton Melon in Back to School. Do we take the time necessary to truly dwell on these thing? Or do we give them a cursory nod and go on with our lives?

Finally? Again? This is the second time in the epistle that Paul uses the word FINALLY. What does it mean when a preacher says, “Finally?”

Eight Mind-Changing Virtues Whatever is TRUE Greek: ALETHACE What is meant by truth? Are there varieties of truth? Republican truth? Democrat truth? Conservative truth? Liberal truth? Truth here has to do with God’s own truth – truth revealed through Christ.

Examples Of Truth John 5:31-32 – “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. John 8:13-14, 16 -- So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going….But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.”

Whatever Is Honorable Greek: SEMNOS Only other times it’s used is in: 1 Timothy 3:8, 11 – Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain…. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Titus 2:2 -- Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

Whatever Is Right Hebrews 10:37-38 – “For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if He shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in Him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”

Whatever Is Pure Greek = HAGNOS James 3:17 -- But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. If it is God approved and Christ approved then it is Christian approved. Otherwise – beware!

Whatever Is Lovely Greek: PROSPHILES Only time used in the New Testament John Gill in his commentary states that this word encapsulates, “…which things also are grateful to God and lovely in His sight, in opposition to all contention, strife, wrath, and hatred.”

Whatever Is Of Good Repute Greek EUPHEMOS Only time used in the New Testament. Those things well spoken of and of good reputation in the spiritual realm, not necessarily in the social realm.

If There Is Any Excellence Greek: ARETE Only time used by Paul in the NT 1 Peter 2:9 -- But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…. 2 Peter 1:3,5 --seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence…. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral [a]excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge….

Anything Worthy Of Praise Greek – EPAINOS In either God or man 2 Corinthians 8:18 -- We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches…. A bit humorous to realize that Paul mentions this praiseworthy individual and fails to name him.

Dwell On These Things Greek LOGIZOMAI Foulkes in his commentary suggests Paul’s meaning here to be: Let these things shape your attitude. Dwell on these things is a grand way to state the importance of such moral and godly virtues. Romans 4:3-5 – “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness….” 1 Cor. 13:11 --When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

Such Things Exhibited By Paul Paul sums up quickly with his own example: Whatever you’ve learned from me Whatever you’ve received from me Whatever you heard from me Whatever you’ve seen in me Practice these things Promise: The God of peace will be with you.

Reflection On The Opposites If the God of peace abides with those who exhibit these virtues, then the god of this fallen world, Satan, enslaves those who exhibit the opposites. Whatever things are false, dishonorable, flawed and faulty, diseased, awful, despicable, unworthy, base and profane, destined to be cursed. Dwell on those things and watch as your peace departs and your world fills with hatred, anxiety, and stress. You will be rendered blind, naked, and poor.