Battle of the Mind

(Mastering Contentment Part 2)

As we continue to focus on contentment, I want to explore our thought life when living a life of contentment. One of our greatest combats in our lives as Christians is in the battlefield of our minds. It is here that the devil tries his hardest to claim dominion over our lives. He knows that it is in the mind that we possess our greatest strength and control over our lives. Our minds are the home base and control station for the kind of life we each shall live. It is our thought life that manifests itself into actions; actions that manifest themselves into behaviors; and behaviors that manifest themselves into lifestyles; and our lifestyles are our reality. It all always starts right in the mind. In our efforts to live a truly content life –in order to master contentment, we must take control over our thought lives.

But how do we do that?

Let’s look at Philippians 4:8-9 (KJV):

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Here Paul (the writer of this text) instruct us that in order to live a life of contentment we must fix our thoughts on what is:

1. True: the word true in the original Greek language is alēthēs

which means those things that have not been hidden or unconcealed; those things that have been revealed to us by God in His words and through personal revelation. What has God revealed to you?

2. Honest: the word honest in the original language is semnos

which means those things that are honorable and worthy of reverence; those things that are respectable.

3. Just: The word just in the original language is dikaios

which means, those things that are right; righteous; virtuous; innocent; approved or acceptable to God; those things that are Holy

4. Pure: The word pure in the original language is hagnos

which means those things that are proper; clean; innocent; modest; pure from carnality

5. Lovely: The word lovely in the original language is prosphilēs

which means focus your thoughts on those things that are friendly towards (others and God); acceptable and pleasing

6. Good Report: Good report in the original language means euphēmos

which means focus your thoughts on those things that sound well; words of a good omen; things that are reputable; promises of success; things that are opportune; favorable; those things that are admirable

7. Virtuous and Worthy of Praise: aretē

which means focus your thoughts on those things that are of moral goodness and moral good; things of excellence and purity

So I ask you. How is your thought life? What do you focus your thoughts on? Is your mind consumed in the negative or positive, truth or lies? Is your mind governed by the voice of God or the voice of satan? Here, Paul is telling us to focus our thoughts on what is pure, good, what is true based on what God has said in His word and the words He has spoken directly to each of us. Don’t focus on our circumstances or what we see around us, but focus on what God has said. And what God says is true, it’s honest, it’s just, it’s pure, it’s lovely, it’s virtuous and is worthy of praise.

Until next time

I wish you love & happiness

Xoxo

Olayinka