Have you ever done something that you thought was right but was not popular with others?
If we are to understand our peace with God, enjoy peace with one another and experience the Holy Spirit’s impartation of peace, we are told to fill our mind with whatever is noble and right. Paul writes,
‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.' (Philippians 4:8-9)
If I were to tell you think about things that were noble and right, what would come to your mind?
Nobility
Nobility, from God’s perspective, is about inspiring what is good. It’s about filling our minds with what will inspire us to goodness and what will inspire us to worship.
Right
Right and righteous come from the same word. To fill our minds with what is right is to think about what would be righteous to think or do in a given situation. It’s about ‘taking the high road’ rather than being dragged into gutter talk or living just because others are doing so.
RESPONSE
Clearly thinking about ‘whatever is true’ (as we saw yesterday) gives us content to think about what is inspirational (noble) which overflows into righteous thinking and living.
When times are hard. When you are sad or depressed, will you fill your mind with what is noble - that which inspires you? Will we choose to remember what is good, and remember why God is worthy of trust and worship? Do we sing ‘noble songs’? Do we watch ‘noble’ films? Do we look at Jesus who is the ultimate in nobility?
Do we think before we speak or act? Do we pray and think about what would be righteous and represent Christ well in any given situation?
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - REPLACE “WHATEVER!” WITH “WHATEVER IS…”
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
Have you ever had a moment when you have shouted, spoken out automatically, cried, laughed… because you were so amazed at something?
Introduction - please share in your group
If we are going to enjoy God’s peace - assurance of our peace with God, peace relationally, and the experience of the peace of the Spirit, it’s vital that we not only pray and give thanks over anxiety, as we saw last week, but that we also think about and then do what is good. Paul writes,
‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.' (Philippians 4:8-9)