Maintaining a healthy heart and mind Philippians 4:1-9
We have spoken many times about the fact that we are what we eat, not just in a physical sense with respect to our diets, but also in a spiritual and a mental sense: the books you read, movies you see, what you watch on your phone, gaming, etc, etc.
But if I was to ask you what your core desire is, most of us I think would give fairly similar responses. We want to be happy, have enough to enjoy life, to live at peace with God and others, to know peace in heart, mind and body. And in fact, this is all part of Christ’s golden rule for us as well.
The greatest commandment is to “love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
Some background: Paul here was writing from a Roman prison. He had been under the Imperial guard – the Praetorium – a group of 900 soldiers who were under rotation in guarding the Apostle Paul and as such, all these men heard the gospel. So much so that Paul said, “what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14)
And in spite of his outward surroundings, Paul was rejoicing in his situation as he was writing to the Philippians. The word “joy” or its variants are used 16 times in this book. It really is a letter about joy and how to maintain it in every circumstance. Paul was writing around AD61. The church in Philippi was founded by Paul some eleven years before this letter, on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:11-40). This was the first church established on the continent of Europe. He had a real affection for this small group of Christians.
They started with a women’s bible study that was meeting along the river. In about AD50, Paul on his second missionary journey preaching, rebuked a slave girl who started to follow them, yelling out that these men were from the most high God who proclaim the way of salvation. Truth – but emotional distraction. The owners lost money from fortune-telling that they made from the demon. Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison; they were singing at night when there was an earthquake. The prison doors swung open. The jailor ended up getting saved and Paul eventually went on his way.
The church grew and Paul was writing to them 11 years later to encourage them in their faith. But here we see that 2 women, who were possibly part of the initial group of women that met years ago by the river, were in some sort of dispute: Euodia and Syntyche. We don’t know what the dispute was; and I am thankful for that, because regardless of what it was, the answer is still the same. In a day when we see a lot of people seemingly triggered or offended at the slightest thing, unfortunately we are not immune from it in the church. People are offended by the slightest thing. But Paul didn’t get into the weeds of the argument. He simply said “to agree in the Lord.” (verse 2) What does this mean? Well, it doesn’t mean to agree on absolutely everything. It means “in the Lord,” which is essentially that the Lord has reconciled us to Himself, so we should reconcile with each other. This is not suggesting that Euodia and Syntyche agree on every theological point or doctrine; they may disagree on how and who to share the gospel with, but even in their disagreement, there should be unity and peace in Christ.
Paul had some real practical experience here because he and Barnabas had a dispute a number of years prior, so Paul was speaking from experience as to how these things end up. When people disagree, get noses bent out of joint and can’t sit down and have a conversation that leads to ongoing fellowship and communion in Christ – this is actually a denial of the central truth and spirit of the gospel.
Paul even offered a practical way to do this. He didn’t mention the brother’s name, he just said, “Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have laboured side by side with me in the gospel.” (verse 3) A person who knew both women and who had served with them in ministry; he asked that this brother be a mediator in facilitating peace between these 2 women.
Can I say that Christians don’t always do this well? Someone is grieved, they disagree with someone in the church. to the point where they can’t attend. It’s petty and very self-indulgent.
The encouragement here is that regardless of the argument, the Holy Spirit saw fit to show us that even though there was a division, their names are written in the Book of Life. While we may disagree and be divided, God’s grace towards us is not affected in any way, which is a wonderful encouragement.
Don’t hold a grudge. Paul said, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. Why? – “The Lord is at hand.” (verse 5)
But do so not in your own strength. Paul said, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (verse 6) Stop worrying – which is unbelief and self-reliance working together with pride – that’s all it is – and start praying about it. You might say I have been praying, man. No answer, God’s hung up on me!!
Paul then gave the context of reconciliation with an imperative/a command. He said, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (verse 4) A joyful spirit is a command. Now some say, oh well, I’m just naturally melancholy. I’m just always a sad boy or girl. Well, now I say this knowing sometimes we get sad, or depressed. Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. We all know sadness at times, but this should not be our primary disposition or demeanour. If it is, then I say with all the love and grace I can muster – get over it. This is not how you are called to be in Christ. Start getting your praise on. Get your hopes up. Rejoice in the fact that God loves you. He’ll never leave you or forsake you. Put your hope, trust and praise in Him. There’s a promise; “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” – not might or maybe, but will.
Do you want a healthy mind and heart? Then be filling your mind with stuff that makes that happen. “Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me---practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
These words are faithfully translated from the Greek into English. The promise in the end is that when we soak our minds and heart in truth and grace, the Lord Himself will be with us. Jesus, “the Prince of Peace,” abides with us every step of our lives. True peace only comes from a relationship with Him.