Text: Philippians 4:2–9
Thesis: God remakes our minds in Christ, calling us to think in the Lord so that his peace might guard our hearts and shape our lives

What You Think Shapes Who You Become

What occupies your mind shapes your life. Everyone thinks. But not everyone thinks in the Lord. And the difference between those two is the difference between anxiety and peace, between confusion and clarity, between the self-centered life and the Christ-shaped one.

The word Paul uses in Philippians for thinking—phroneō—does not refer to passing temporary thoughts. It means to set one’s mind, to orient one’s whole outlook in a particular direction. This is “to be minded” or your “attitude.” It is not merely a passing reflection. It is a fixed, intentional, heart-level mindset.

The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament explains that the Church’s phronein is defined by Christ himself. That is, Christians are not just called to think, but to think in a way shaped by the gospel, rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ. To think in the Lord is to think from him, through him, and for him.

Even pagan wisdom recognizes the power of the mind. In The Odyssey, Homer observes that “the gods sometimes send some very sensible people out of their minds, and make foolish people become sensible” (23.10–24). But Scripture gives us a clearer and higher vision: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom 12:2). God changes us not by bypassing the mind, but by transforming it.

Think of a seasoned pilot. A good pilot does not simply memorize facts about flying. He learns how to see. His perception is shaped by years of disciplined training. Weather patterns, instruments, potential emergencies—these are processed through an ingrained mindset. His habits of thought make the difference between crashing and landing.

So it is with the Christian life. We are not called to sprinkle our days with religious thoughts. We are called to see the world differently because our minds have been renewed in Christ. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:2).

Dr. Scott Swain once described the Godward mind like this: “The mind made and remade by God, the mind made and remade for God that fulfills its purpose and manifests cognitive excellence, above all, in the knowledge and love of God” (Didaktikos 2.2.21).

This is the promise of 1 Corinthians 2:16: “But we have the mind of Christ.” That is the mind we need. And that is the mind God gives.

I. The Foundation of the Godward Mind

Before we are commanded to think in certain ways, we must know where such thinking comes from. The Godward mind is not natural. It is supernatural. It is not self-produced. It is Spirit-given. It begins in God, is formed by the Word, and is empowered by the Spirit.

1. God Causes the Godward Mind

The first step toward true thinking is to know the only wise God (Rom 16:27). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5–6). All wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Without him, we cannot think rightly.

Think of a river. A river cannot rise above its source. And the mind of man cannot rise to heaven unless God himself is its fountain. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov 9:10). “The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov 2:6).

2. God Is the First and Final Cause of Knowledge

“All things are from him and through him and to him” (Rom 11:36). That includes your thoughts. “By him all things were created… through him and for him” (Col 1:16). Our minds were made not for idle speculation but for worship.

3. The Word of God Informs the Godward Mind

God has not left us in darkness. He has given us his Word as light. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105).

Think of prescription glasses. Without them, the nearsighted cannot see. Scripture is the lens that corrects the blurry vision of our minds. “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Ps 119:18).

4. The Spirit of God Empowers the Godward Mind

Transformation is not by effort alone. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). The Spirit changes us into the likeness of Christ “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor 3:18). He shapes our thoughts so that they glorify God.

II. How to Think (Philippians 4:2–7)

Paul now moves from the foundation to the expression of the renewed mind. He gives four commands that describe how the Christian mind operates.

1. Agree in the Lord (vv. 2–3)

Paul pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to “agree in the Lord.” Unity in the church is not built on shared preferences or personalities. It is grounded in Christ.

Picture an orchestra. When each musician plays their own way, the sound is discord. But when all follow the conductor, harmony fills the room. So it is when the people of God fix their eyes on Christ. “Live in harmony with one another” (Rom 12:16). “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you” (Jn 17:21).

2. Rejoice in the Lord (v. 4)

This is not about emotion. This is about orientation. It is a settled joy in God that does not depend on our circumstances. “Rejoice always” (1 Thess 5:16). “In your presence there is fullness of joy” (Ps 16:11).

Think of two prisoners looking out from behind bars. One sees mud. The other sees stars. Paul wrote Philippians from prison, yet he rejoiced. He said, “I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab 3:18).

3. Be Gracious Like the Lord (v. 5)

“Let your gentleness be known to everyone.” Kindness is not weakness. It is Christlikeness. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32).

Why can we live gently? Because “the Lord is near.” He is near to the brokenhearted (Ps 34:18). He is near to all who call on him (Ps 145:18). That nearness gives strength for gentleness.

4. Trust Your Thoughts to the Lord (vv. 6–7)

Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything.” This is not a shallow command. It is an invitation to bring everything to God in prayer. “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7).

One man kept a “worry box.” When something troubled him, he wrote it down, placed it in the box labeled “God,” and refused to take it back. He reminded himself: this now belongs to the Lord.

When we entrust our thoughts to God, something happens. Verse 7 says, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God himself garrisons your mind with peace.

III. What to Think About (Philippians 4:8)

Paul now gives a final word on the content of godly thinking. The renewed mind not only avoids anxiety. It also pursues beauty.

These virtues are not generic. They reflect the character of Christ.

• Whatever is true – Think in line with God’s Word. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).
• Whatever is honorable – What is worthy of reverence.
• Whatever is just – What accords with God’s righteousness.
• Whatever is pure – That which is uncorrupted.
• Whatever is lovely – What stirs holy affection.
• Whatever is commendable – That which is morally beautiful and praiseworthy.

“If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise”—think about these things.

This is not legalistic positivity. This is the mind being trained to see as God sees. It is holiness of thought. It is delight in what God delights in. Most importantly, these things are best seen in who God is. God wants us to know the best way to improve our thinking is to think about him and to see the world through the lense of his glory. “In his light we see light.”

Conclusion: Think This Way—and Peace Will Guard You

Paul ends with a promise. “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9).

Do not miss the grace in that sentence. Not just peace from God, but the God of peace will be with you. To think in the Lord is not merely to be wise. It is to dwell with the living God.

So we pray:
Lord, remake our minds.
Fill us with the knowledge of your will.
Help us to rejoice in you, to live in harmony, to be gentle, and to be at peace.
Give us the mind of Christ.
For your glory.
And for our joy.
Amen.