In 1987, I walked into a college classroom for the first time and sat next to a pretty young lady with red hair. The short story is that we got married 4 years and 3 months later. During those 4 years, we purposely pursued each other. We learned about each other’s family, friends, and interests. We went from looking forward to spending time together to spending less and less waking hours apart. Our friendship turned into a deeper relationship because of purposeful choices, sacrifices, and invested time. Through the last 32 years, we have discovered that a marriage relationship cannot be stagnate. We must grow individually and as a couple, to continue to enjoy an uplifting marriage relationship. Since we have the hope of heaven, we must pursue deeper relationship with Jesus.
This section of scripture ends with 5 APPEALS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING (4:4-7)
Be Joyful (4:4)
This exhortation has been given in the form of a command or in the form of Paul’s example 12 times in these 4 chapters to the Philippian church (1:4, 18, 25; 2:2, 17-18, 28-29; 3:1; 4:1, 4, 10), making this a strong emphasis in this small book of the Bible. Such joy is a personal choice that is fueled by the Spirit of God. It is specifically noted as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Such joy comes from deeper relationship with Jesus.
Be Reasonable (4:5)
The KJV translation of the Bible uses the word “moderation” in this verse. The ESV translation uses the word “reasonableness.” The NKJV translation uses the word “gentleness” and the NASB translation uses the word “gentle spirit.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines this Greek word as “what is reasonable, suitable, fair, mild, gentle.” The word “moderation” is not wrong to use here; however, it has lost some of its meaning in today’s culture. We are to be known for our reasonableness and our gentle spirit. Would your thoughts, words, and actions be described as reasonable or a gentle spirit by those who know you best? Greater reflection on God’s forgiveness, love, and mercy for me will yield greater reasonableness with others.
Be Peaceful (4:6-7)
The first phrase, “Be anxious for nothing,” is literally understood in the Greek verb tenses as “stop worrying.” The assumption is the believer is already worrying! For the Philippians, it could have been Paul’s Roman confinement, or the aggressive anti-gospel atmosphere witnessed during Paul’s first visit to Philippi. For all of us today, the causes of worry or anxiety are endless (unpaid bills, relational conflict, unsaved loved ones, job security, health problems, etc.). We have the same call today – stop worrying! However, how do I address the worry? We pray. (I Pet. 5:7; Prov. 3:5-7; Is. 26:3-4)
Be Prayerful (4:6)
E.M. Bounds wrote, “Jesus taught that perseverance is the essential element in prayer.” Take the worries and anxieties that fill your mind and tell them to Jesus! Cast your care on the One who cares for you!
Be Mindful (4:8)
With what do you fill your mind? Our minds are filled with the thoughts of our own choosing. Philippians 4:8 directs us to sharpen our focus on the target of our mind. The Greek words used in this passage shows that this call for right thinking is tied to the peace of God mentioned in the verse 7. “The peace of God is the guardian of our thoughts and imaginations,” but believers must embrace the role of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ as well (II Cor. 10:5). In other words, we still have a will, and we still must chose moral excellence; however, the peace of God will help fuel right thinking (1). We must seriously consider sharpening our aim on these 8 targets for our mind.
1. TRUE
Truth is found in Jesus Christ. This target aims to speak the truth as well as live the truth. It is honest speech and authentic character (2).
2. HONEST
The ESV and the NASB translate this same word as “honorable” while the NKJV uses the English word “noble.” This same Greek adjective is translated as “grave” in I Timothy 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines this Greek word as “to be venerated (respected) for character, honorable.” The old English word “honest” in the KJV used to carry this meaning more than it does in today’s society. This target presses us to consider the devotion or drive of our thoughts (2).
3. JUST
Simply stated, our thought life must aim to rehearse the things that are right between mankind (2).
4. PURE
Purity is not limited to our actions. I Peter 1:15-16 calls the church to be holy because the Lord is holy. This same Greek word is also translated as “chaste” in II Corinthians 11:2; Titus 2:5; I Peter 3:2. The meaning here is pure from fault, immaculate (3). The Biblical usage of this Greek word includes the understanding of “pure from carnality, pure from fault, chaste, modest.” This call for holiness or purity must also include our thought life. In other words, purity is not just what other people see you do (attitudes and actions), but it is also what no one but God and you see you do (the thoughts that flood your mind and you purposely rehearse, develop, and nurture) (2).
5. LOVELY
This target has the church aiming for rehearsing thoughts that are acceptable and pleasing to the Lord (3). The Bible is the standard for accessing what is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.
Know your Bible intimately and you will know what is acceptable and pleasing to Jesus. Know your Bible superficially and you will choose what is acceptable and pleasing to yourself.
What’s the big difference? Following Jesus is the path of peace, joy, and fulfillment (Jn. 5:24; Matt. 7:24-27; Lk. 9:23) …but following self is the path of destruction (Prov. 14:12). Following Jesus is often hard now, but very rewarding. Following self is often easy at the beginning, but very hard soon after (and eternally horrific if repentance is never chosen). The choice is yours…choose wisely.
6. GOOD REPORT
These are the thoughts that are classified as good-will toward others (3). This includes the ideas of courtesy, kindness, respect to parents, and an overall graciousness in our words (4).
7. VIRTUE
If you find anything virtuous, choose to rehearse it (4). Paul did not list every possible thing we should include in our rehearsing, so he urges the believer to think on “whatever is called virtue,” even if it is not listed in this passage (2).
8. PRAISE
Rehearse those things that are praiseworthy (4). For example: living for God, loving God, loving others, witnessing, choosing truth over lies, and honoring parents, are all within the confines of scripture.
(Source: 1Expositor’s Greek Testament Commentary. 2Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Commentary. 3Thayer’s Greek Lexicon. 4Barnes Notes on the Bible Commentary.)
Speaking to his physician, John cried in great perplexity, “I might not live a week!”
“Of course you may not, John, but very likely you will, and the medicine will be in the house; it will keep; and if you find yourself getting worse, you could take some. I shall not charge anything for it. If you should feel worse tomorrow you might begin even then.”
“Sir, I may be dead tomorrow!”
“When would you propose to begin your medicine then, John?”
“Well, sir, I hoped you would tell me to begin today.”
“Begin today, by all means,” consented the doctor, kindly. “I am glad to see you realize how foolish it is to put off taking this medicine.” And then the physician, reflecting upon their past conversations about spiritual matters, inquired, “But are you not being just as foolish when you put off taking the medicine which the Great Physician has provided for your sin-sick soul? I plead with you, John; don’t put it off!” (Source: A Treasury of Bible Illustrations, Ted Kyle and John Todd)
What keeps you from following the spiritually medicinal instruction of the Bible? Why are you delaying? Do you believe God’s instruction to be a lie? Do you believe God’s instruction will bring misery or the removal of a ‘good time?’ Do you believe you know a better way than the all-knowing, creator God? Don’t embrace such faulty thinking any longer, my friend. Satan questioned God in the beginning of time (Genesis 3), and God was proven to be truth – Satan was proven to be the liar and deceiver!
Turn your eyes on Jesus!
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
We must pursue deeper relationship with Jesus!