It has been said that people have one of two perspectives: either their glass of water is half-full or half-empty. Those who have the “glass half-empty” perspective tend to focus on life with a sense of pessimism. Those who have a “glass half-full” perspective view life with a sense of optimism. What we choose to dwell on and think about informs our worldview, for better or worse. If we want to be successful in the battle for our minds, we have to focus on things that will set our minds and attention on Christ.
The apostle Paul understood the importance of dwelling on Christ and His kingdom, and he wrote about it in Philippians 4. This is what he said: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (verse 8). This call in Philippians 4 is a call to focus on the things that reflect Christ and His kingdom. After all, Christ is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise. The call in Philippians 4 is also a call to abandon the ways of the world and the things that take us away from Him because the things of the world are not anything like the things of Christ and His kingdom.
Paul issues a promise for those who focus on the things of Christ and His kingdom: When we do these things, we have peace (verse 9). When we meditate on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, our actions are transformed to reflect the things we focus on, and we cannot help but be at peace (verse 9).
The question we must ask ourselves today is, what are we focusing our minds on today? Are we focusing on Christ and the things of Him, or are we focusing on things that are pulling us away from Him? Let’s set our minds on Christ and the things of Him. Let’s focus on things that are good, honorable, and worthy of praise. When we do, our actions and words will be transformed, and we will experience the peace that comes from reflecting on the things of Christ and obeying Him.
Choose today to intentionally focus on Christ. Look at the list of things we are instructed to think about in the Scripture found in the Going Deeper section below. Choose to set your mind on those things. Take note of how focusing on these things impacts your day.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
