Living with the God of Peace - Philippians 4:7-9

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.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Php 4:7–9.

• The fall distorts not only human behavior but also human thought, producing ideas and desires that conflict with God's character and commands.
• God gives believers new hearts and renewed minds in Christ, so they must embrace the new identity and life he has created in them.
• Christians are commanded to dwell deliberately upon what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
• Scripture supplies the truth by which the Spirit renews thought, while God's works and faithful examples give concrete objects for grateful meditation.
• Renewed thinking must become renewed conduct: believers are to practice what they have learned, received, heard, and seen rather than remain hearers only.
• This pursuit is neither self-salvation nor bare willpower; God began the work, his Spirit supplies strength, and the God of peace promises his presence.

• Which recurring thoughts reveal the effects of sin upon my mind?
• How does being made new in Christ change what I should welcome or reject in my thought life?
• How often during the week do the gospel and the character of Christ consciously shape my judgments?
• Which of Paul's categories—true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy—most needs deliberate attention from me?
• What inputs repeatedly pull my mind toward gossip, impurity, fear, or bitterness?
• How does regular reading of Scripture serve the Spirit's work of renewing my mind?
• What truth that I have learned and heard now requires concrete obedience?
• Why is the promise of God's presence essential while I strive for holiness?

Renewed mind

A mind being transformed by the Holy Spirit from fallen patterns into thought shaped by God's truth and character.

New man

The new identity and life created according to God in righteousness and holiness, which believers are commanded to put on.

Meditation

Sustained, purposeful attention that dwells upon and turns over what is true, good, and praiseworthy rather than letting it pass as a fleeting thought.

Truth

What conforms to God and his revealed Word, the standard by which Christian thought is corrected and sanctified.

Purity

Freedom from moral stain, perfectly displayed in Christ and increasingly reflected in his people by the Spirit.

Obedience

Putting into practice the truth received from Scripture and faithful Christian example rather than hearing without doing.

Peace of God

The guarding peace and reconciled presence God grants in Christ as believers pray, think, and walk according to his will.