The Path to Peace of Mind
Philippians 4:6-9
Intro: We live in a society where peace of mind is almost nonexistent. Suicides are on the rise. Drug use and mind-altering drugs are epidemic proportions.
Even for Christians, many are haunted every day of their life by:
· Depression
· Discontentment
· Discouragement
· Delusion
· Deception
· Despair
I. The Provision of Peace – vs. 7
· 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
· 9 “…and the God of peace shall be with you.”
Being a Child of God means you and I have access to a peace that the unbeliever does not have.
Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6.
· John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
If you have Jesus Christ, you have all you need to have true peace.
The peace of God (vs. 7) “passeth all understanding.”
There is no human explanation for the peace that God can give.
He has promised to keep your heart, and your minds – through Christ Jesus.
II. The Proof of Peace – vs. 9
There is such a powerful testimony hidden in the verses of verse 9.
His testimony speaks volumes when he said, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do…”
The Apostle Paul is writing this book to the church at Philippi.
This is a man whose life was one of non-stop stress and continual turmoil.
If Paul could have peace of mind, how much more should we be able to?
Our lives cannot come close to the
He had to constantly deal with:
· Conflict – he had a group of Jews that followed him around everywhere
· Criticism – he was constantly having to defend his apostolic authority
· Compromise – false doctrine and false teachings
· Carnality – writing letters to address strife and divisions and church issues
· Companions – leaving him and departing (John Mark/Demas/Barnabas)
· Churches – the care of all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28)
· Complications – health issues; thorn in the flesh
If anybody had a reason to NEVER have any peace of mind, it would be the Apostle Paul!
But he had it, and he wanted them to have it too! …and the God of peace shall be with you.
III. The Pathway of Peace – vs. 6; 8
I am calling this message “The Path to Peace of Mind” because there are steps that must be taken.
God gives us some steppingstones that we can take to keep our hearts and minds at peace.
These are more than just suggestions – they are guaranteed to work if you can learn to do it.
Notice the steps provided in verse 6 and 8:
· Do not allow yourself to become anxious over anything. - vs. 6 Be careful for nothing…
· Pray about everything. – vs. 6 but in every thing by prayer and supplication
· Give thanks to God for everything. – vs. 6 with thanksgiving
· Only think about things that are true. - the biggest obstacle to peace is vain imaginations.
· Only think about things that are honest. – to be venerated for character, honourable
· Only think about things that are just. - innocent, faultless, guiltless
· Only think about things that are pure. - pure from carnality, chaste, modest, sacred
· Only think about things that are lovely. - acceptable, pleasing
· Only think about things that are of good report. - sounding well, uttering words of good omen
· Only think about things that are virtuous. - virtue, moral goodness, any particular moral excellence,
· Only think about things that are praiseworthy. - commendation
Conclusion: There are several things we learn from these verses.
1. God will do His part to give you and I peace of mind. That is a promise.
2. We have a part to play in whether or not we have peace of mind. That is your participation.
God will not give you His peace of mind if you insist on meditating on things that are not true, not lovely, not of good report, not virtuous, etc.
