FORTIFY YOUR MIND

Phil. 4:4-8

IntroductionEvery man is made up of body, soul

and spirit.The body interacts with the physical

world.The soul (mind) with the intellectual

and emotional world.The spirit relates to the spiritual world.

Without the body, there is no contact with the world.

Without the soul (mind) there is no ability to think or feel.

Without the spirit, there is no ability to commune with God.

The mind is the ultimate battlefield of life.

The Lord, the flesh and the devil are all battling to control our minds.

Why?Prov. 23:7 –

This is a spiritual battle.We do have to lose this battle.There are certain steps to follow.We do not have to do this alone.We can build a wall of protection

around our minds.How?

1. BUILD THE WALL OF PRAISE. (v.4)

Paul commands the believer “to rejoice” or “to be glad.”

When Paul wrote this he was bound between two soldiers in a Roman prison.

Regardless of the circumstances, God never changes.

People will change, circumstances will change and life constantly changes but the Lord never changes.

We need to learn to rejoice in Who He is (worship) and what He has done (praise) and what He is doing in our lives.

Even if the road is hard, the Lord has planned your path – Psa.37:23

He has promised to make all things work for good (Rom.8:28)

Promised to go with you through everything in life (Heb.13:5)

Promised us abiding victory (Rom.8:37)

The destination will be worth the journey (2 Cor. 4:17)

Learn to be happy in the Lord. Build a wall of praise.

2. BUILD A WALL OF PATIENCE. (v.5)

“Moderation” means “gentle or gracious spirit”

The need to be patient with others.It is not compromise in doctrine.Be willing to take the back seat in

favor of other people – Phil.2:4

The reality of our faith should be demonstrated in how we deal with other people.

Paul wants us to get the focus off ourselves and get it on others.

When we are focused on those around us, we are less likely to feel hurt by what others do or say.

If we learn to accept others just as they are and over look how they act or speak, it protects our mind.

When we have self love, we will look at others – what they say or do as a personal attack.

This will cause problems in the mind as we dwell on it.

But if we learn to accept others just as they are, it will protect our mind.

We must learn to live in genuine contentment – Phil. 4:11

This will protect the mind.

3. BUILD A WALL OF PRAYER. (v.5-7)

In verse 6, we are warned of the dangers of worry.

“Careful” – has the idea of anxiety.It refers to a state of mind that is

agitated over events and circumstances of life.

We all have concerns.

Worry is dangerous because it allows the mind to conceive false notions about God.

We have these verses to help us:a. v.5 – The Lord is near. (Heb.13:5-6)b. V.6 – Exercise the tool of prayer.

Instead of worrying, we are to demonstrate our faith in the power and will of God through prayer.

c. v. 6 -Develop a thankful heart. Regardless of the situations in life, learn to praise the Lord through them all.

The Lord’s promise is that He will replace our worries with His peace.

“Keep” (v.7)- means to build a fort around, to post a guard around the heart and mind of those who trust Him.

We must learn to lean on the Lord in prayer.

Build the wall of prayer.

4. BUILD THE WALL OF PURITY. (v.8)

God’s Word is honest (honorable) it is just (right), it is pure (holy, clean); it is lovely (beautiful), it is of good report (reputation); it is full of virtue (excellence) and praise (leading to worship).

We are call to fix our minds on the things of God.

We are to fill our minds with the Words of God then there will no room for worry, fear, vengeance, confusion or trouble.

A mind filled and fixed with the Word of God is a stable mind.

We need to force the mind to dwell on the Word of God.

We should not feed on the filth of this world and dwell on the problems and problem people.

We must that energy to dwell on the Word of God.

ConclusionYour mind is a precious gift from

God.The forces of good and evil are

battling for your mind all the time.But it is you who determines the

winner.Remember Proverbs 4:23.