Weekly Devotionals – 22 August 2022

The human mind is like a war zone where conflicts take place on a daily basis. There is no place in the world where more battles are fought than in the human mind. The greatest conflict in the world today is the battle to control the mind. Recognising the importance of winning the battle for the mind, Paul included in Philippians 4:8-9 with a list of mental attitudes which believers ought to develop. When Paul called on the Philippians to think, he was essentially calling on them to ponder, to consider, to reflect, to give continuous attention to and to be occupied with. Like them, what are the things that we should think about? Here’s the list:

•   Things that are true – things that are accurate, correct, real and exact and would reveal truth.
•   Things that are honourable – things that are upright, moral, noble and would bring honest value. 
•   Things that are right – things that are just, veracious, and not shady.
•   Things that are pure – things that are wholesome and will not contaminate our mind and life.
•   Things that are lovely – things that are pleasant, delightful, splendid and will produce concord
•   Things that are of good repute – things that are winsome and attractive and of good reputation.
•   Things that are excellent – things that are virtuous, exceptional and outstanding and admirable.
•   Things that are praiseworthy – things that deserve praise, laudable and exemplary.

Every believer ought to learn to filter the thoughts that pass through his or her mind. If they bear the marks of these eight positive characteristics, then the believer can dwell on them. If they do not, the believer should learn to repudiate and reject them.

In verse 9, Paul appealed to them to emulate him. He did not only teach them, what he had not lived and practiced. Here he used four emphatic words to urge them to follow his example. The Philippians had learned and received from him and heard and seen it through his lifestyle. So now they ought to carry it out. He assured them that if they practiced them, they would experience the nearness of the God of peace. To have the peace of God, we need the God of peace.

Paradigm is defined as the way our mind makes sense of the world, it’s the way our mind interprets life. Paradigms are like the maps in our minds, they help to direct how we can live and guide us to our desired goals. To make quantum leap changes in life, we need to change our paradigm. We need a paradigm that is aligned with God’s word. Remember, we think so we act!

Sow a thought, reap an action,
Sow an action, reap a habit,
Sow a habit, reap a character,
Sow a character, and reap a destiny.

Monday – 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Tuesday – Psalm 16:7
I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

Wednesday – Proverbs 22:17
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my (God’s)  knowledge;

Thursday – Romans 8:5
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Friday – Psalm 26:2
Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.

Saturday – 1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Sunday – Proverbs 15:14
The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 

All scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB1995).
By Pastor Clarence Goh