Whenever we have the title of a message like the one we have today, it usually elicits a few eye-rolls and murmurings from some people. So it would be wise for me to simply mention up-front, that this has nothing really to do with any of the latest blockbusters in theaters; nor is this about violence or promiscuousness in television today.
What this message is about rather, are the movies being played continuously in our hearts and minds. These movies are much more important and carry much more of an impact on us. They play constantly 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. And the Bible has quite a bit to say about them. So today we will be taking a scriptural look at our mental movies, and how Jesus has delivered us from this very important area.
We have several scriptures to look at today, so let’s not wait any longer and get right into it… Philippians 4:8:
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Now this is fairly straightforward, we have a simple directive abut what should be occupying our mind. Yet many people have an initial recoil when reading this, and it usually stems from the mistaken idea that this means that anyone who follows the advice in this scripture will become obnoxiously happy all the time. Well please allow me to set the record straight: You will become happy, but you will not become obnoxious!
The worldly thinking of today will tell you that if you do not have a negative attitude, then you are not being “real” or “facing reality”. My friends, that is utter hogwash. What good does getting depressed about a situation bring? How has being negative and a downer ever contributed to anything? It serves no useful purpose and only brings people down and contributes to further trouble.
Here’s the key… I am going to give you a well-guarded mega top secret bit of information: All of those things that we read about in verse 8 – all the true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous praise-worthy things – they are all pointers to and about Jesus!
So basically what the verse is saying is to constantly have your mind in its proper place meditating on Jesus.
Can we actually do that? Absolutely! Can we do that without secluding ourselves and becoming monks? Sure! Think of it this way… Have you ever been taking a shower while singing your favorite song? Or have you ever been cooking dinner while talking on the phone or watching TV? You see, what the scripture advises is really not difficult at all. In-fact most people do this already, only instead of good things, they meditate on current events, dismal news reports, or bad reports from professionals. Always remember that faith comes by hearing the words of Christ, but fear comes by hearing the words of men.
Many people today allow all of the negative elements to affect their hearts and minds, they are conditioned to expect the worst, almost as a reflex. They have their faith operating in a negative way to bring about negative things. These are the mental movies I am referring to.
Now I am going to show you another secret, and this really is the one that most people miss when they read this verse, and that is verse 9 connects with the verse 8 that we have read. Let us now read the connecting Philippians 4:9:
“Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace will be with you”
Paul here is not talking about himself, for he is not a perfect man. Look at precisely what he is saying: “Those things”, refers to all of the things we just read of in verse 8. “Which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me”. He is talking about Jesus. How do I know this? The answer is in the context, and previously in Paul’s letter to the Philippians in Philippians 2:1-8:
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfil you my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.”
The consolation is always found in Christ, not men. Not even Paul, but Christ alone. The mind is of Christ, and on His obedience does everything rest.
So in closing to sum all of this up, the key is this: As we meditate on the finished work of Christ, we begin to see more clearly how He has indeed suffered for our total freedom from th curse of sin and death. And as our eyes are opened to His truth, we can stand more fully on His word and keep our minds, and hearts from being troubled. Finally as our minds and hearts are secured on the solid foundation of Christ, our entire life will be flowing in the prosperity and blessings of Christ Jesus.
So are the movies we watch important? Are the shows we watch harmless? How does a thing impact your peace? Does it leave you feeling secure, or does it give your more doubt? Does it fill your mind with Christ, or with worldly uncertainty? That is for each of us to decide, and act accordingly.
Thanks be to God, who has finished the work, and given us only one job, to keep what He has made. Hallelujah!
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