Scripture:
Philippians 4:4-9 NKJV
[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. [9] The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Observation:
Over the last several weeks it has been a very difficult task to overcome negative thoughts. If I spoke on everything that has happened I’m sure some of us would understand why, but it’s just not going to do any good to speak about so much negativity and allow the enemy to continue to have a foot in my life. So as I was praying this morning and asking GID what HE would have me write about. This scripture came into my vision. As I began to read it over a few times, several thoughts came to me. So let’s see what the LORD has to say to us this morning. As Paul was writing this letter he sat in a Roman prison. That’s always something that takes me by surprise when it comes to a lot of Paul’s writing. It’s just difficult to see how someone sitting in a cell could write about being joyful. If there is anyone who knows about overcoming negative thoughts it would be someone sitting in a cell. I know from experience that’s a hard thing to do, but the first verse we find in the scripture this morning speaks of rejoicing in the LORD. Paul who was sitting in a prison cell was doing all he could to encourage the church to rejoice. The only way I can honestly see that happening is the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul counted it great joyful to be counted worthy to be placed in a cell and suffer for the cause of Christ who knew that the stand he took would bring others to the LORD. His gentle disposition and graceful approach is what separated him from the man he used to be. The level of anxiety that had to creep into his mind had to be overwhelming at times. So as he is writing this letter to the church, I’m sure it was to remind himself of how to take care of the issues he was in the middle of as well. But he had an encounter with Christ. He knew that he was not in that cell alone. Just like the three Hebrew boys that withstood the fire, Christ was in that cell with him. His anxious thoughts could be taken directly to HIM through prayer and supplication. Now that word caught my attention…. Supplication: what it means and how it is tied to prayer. So I looked up the definition and found the meaning. It means: a humble, earnest, and heartfelt request made to GOD. So I believe the directions that Paul was providing for the church through this letter were things that he was putting into practice and finding successful responses from. Lifting up his anxious thoughts to the LORD and relinquishing control allowed him to know that GOD was in total control, and just the thought of that brought a peaceful spirit over his life as he sat awaiting the verdict. However he didn’t stop there. Knowing that GOD is in control is so very important. But changing the direction of his thoughts had value as well. If anyone knew about spiritual warfare it was Paul. The battlefield is in the mind. This is a principle that’s found in the armor he describes in Ephesians chapter 6 as he paints a picture of what the armor looks like. The very first piece being the same principle that he brings to the surface here in Philippines chapter 4, by telling the church to think about whatever is true. You see he knew how the enemy overwhelmed his mind with lies. The only truth is what the LORD had revealed to him through the encounter he had on the road to Damascus. Paul’s thoughts were not on this life, they were on the life after this one. Good, noble, praiseworthy, pure, lovely things, that were worthy of a good report. You see bringing those things to the forefront of his mind is how GOD’S peace was manifested in his life no matter what circumstances he faced, it wasn’t about where he was at the moment. Paul’s life was lived for where he would go after his flesh was placed in the ground.
Application:
Overcoming negative thoughts is not easy. But it can be done. One of the first things I have noticed is that our thoughts can run away pretty quickly if we are not careful, and it’s pretty easy to just allow them to get away from us. Here is the thing, what you think about you is what you will head towards, so if you are constantly thinking negative thoughts about you or the situation you find yourself in. That’s something that you have to take captive. Ninety percent of the spiritual battles that we fight are in our thought life. In fact the bible brings that to our attention saying things like, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs chapter 23 verses 7 the first half of it. I’m not trying to take it out of context so the rest of it says,”Eat and drink, he says to you but his heart is not with you.” You see our thoughts reveal the condition of our hearts. I don’t know about you, but I want my heart to be right with GOD. I want to train myself to think the way HE thinks about me. Calling out the warrior that HE has called me to be. We have the ability to control and direct our thoughts. I’m going to be honest its not always easy. Sometimes you will get control of one thought and another will slide in the back door and you will have to take it captive as well. It’s a never ending battle. But the closer we get to the father the easier it is to see which thoughts are coming from HIM and which ones are for the enemy. The life walked in faith is a walk that has to be done internationally. You are not going to do it accidentally. The further along you get the more intentional you have to be. The enemy can destroy you by overwhelming your mind with negative thoughts. My suggestion is to remove not only the negative thoughts, but those who continue to feed them as well. Think about what is good, right, and true. That’s where GOD wants your mind fixed. You will head towards what you think about you. So think about what HE thinks of you. Redeemed, forgiven, set free from the power of sin, more than a conquer, a mighty warrior, victorious through Christ Jesus, no longer a slave to sin, but a child of GOD, adopted, our inheritance is the kingdom. The battle belongs to GOD and HE has told you how to win. What you think about you is what you will become. Take the negative thoughts captive and speak life over yourself. Jesus died so that we could live a life that brings GOD glory. Knowing HIS truth and who HE says you are will allow your thoughts to head in the right direction. Don’t let the enemy have your thought life. You are a child of GOD bought by the blood of Christ.
Prayer:
Father, we want to thank you. You have left nothing out. Every situation that comes into our life, you have given us an answer to. Your word is a road map to our life. The instructions are clearly given if we are willing to seek them. Thank you for the love that you showed us by leaving us a book of instructions on how to see the victory you have already won manifest in our lives. This morning all we can ask is that you forever us for our negative thoughts. We see how they have directed our path. We also take them captive, and cast down every assignment that the enemy has launched on our lives. We belong to you. We are your children. Adopted into the kingdom. Gate kicking warriors with the battle cry of the king, the lion of Judah leading the charge. Thank you for the freedom you have given us over our thoughts. They will no longer hold us in chains of negativity. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen