August 2, 2026

Consider your Thoughts #

Philippians 4:8

Introduction

Isaiah 26:3 — Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Last week, we looked at this verse. In studying for the message, I was reminded of our text for tonight.

We are jumping in at the conclusion of Paul’s message to the believers that are in Philippi. There has already been a lot covered, and this is not the first time he has mentioned their mind, or their thoughts. It is probably the most direct time though.

• The idea of having one mind has been presented a few times in this short letter!
• Unity of mind, this is not just in a church, but rather among believers!
• The mind is a powerful thing! – It influences our life, and direction.

Philippians 1:27 — Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Philippians 2:2 — Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 3:15 — Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Philippians 4:2 — I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

I. Content of Thoughts #

“Probably there are scores of people who take no notice of their thoughts. They leave the castle gate of their soul perfectly open for any intruder that may wish to enter, either from heaven or hell; and so it befalls that the thoughts of the world, of vanity, of impurity, thoughts which are inspired by demons, but which are arrayed in the garb of respectable citizens, pour into the great gateway of the soul, filling the courtyard with their tumultuous uproar.”¹ -- F. B. Meyer

A. True #

i. Truth #

• Some times it can be a challenge to sort truth from fiction!

ii. Corruption – stinking thinking #

2 Corinthians 11:3 — But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

• There is a battle for truth, and right… the internet allows us access to a lot of information, but a lot of it is garbage, not right.

  • It is well thought out, it is logical, but it is wrong!
  • Very intellectual, intelligent people can be wrong!

iii. Be careful of false news, bad information. #

• The devil has been on a rampage against truth since creation… “Yea, hath God said…” Gen 3.1
• The Word of God is True, and should occupy our thoughts!

B. Honest #

i. Without deception #

• By nature, we are prone to lie.. and God tells us not even to think about lying!

• Don’t consider it… don’t dwell upon it.

• You cannot stop the birds from flying through the trees, but you can stop them from making a nest, and taking up residence.

  • Don’t dwell on, contemplate, or consider lying, coverup or deceit.
  • It is wicked, from the devil!

2 Corinthians 4:2 — But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

C. Just - #

• Just – upright, having principles of rectitude, righteous.
• Life is not fair, and no one ever said it would be, but we should think justly.

i. Correct in dealing with people #

• Sometimes peoples actions done set well with us, we need to stop and think justly, properly about it.
• Be right in our thoughts toward others.

ii. A lot of injustice takes place in the world #

• We should be just, in our dealings

D. Pure #

• Pure – free from moral defilement, without spot, real
• undefiled in the way

i. Wickedness should have no place in our thoughts #

ii. Perversity should have not place in our thoughts #

iii. Deceit should have no place in our thoughts. #

E. Lovely #

• Lovely – amiable, qualities which may invite affection, delightful

i. The opposite of ugly, mean, or cruel #

• • Some can be cruel by nature… revenge, hatred, meanness, are not lovely thoughts!

F. Good Report #

• The spies, that didn’t believe God would deliver the land… “brought up an evil report” (Num 13:32)

II. Conditions of the Topics #

A. Edification - Virtue #

Virtue – moral goodness

i. Edifying #

• Something that builds

  • Are your thoughts constructive, or destructive!
  • It may be truth, but is it constructive? – It may be true someone may be a drunkard… but thinking simply condemning the person is not virtuous… finding a way to help them, praying for them, being concerned about them.
  • Looking down on people has no place in a Christians thought life! – It is destructive, not contructive!

Ephesians 4:29 — Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

B. Encouragement - Praise #

i. Encourage #

• • People need encouraged to do what is right, to be in church
  • Be careful that we do not tear people down, that is destructive!

III. Command to think! #

• Think about what you think about!
• Consider your thought life!

A. God wants you to examine your thoughts! #

B. Are you caustic, destructive to people? #

• Sometimes rebuke is necessary, there is a time and place for it, but are we overly critical of others?