Is It True?
Background Story: The book of Philippians was not a book but a letter from Paul to the church there with instructions to encourage and strengthen them in their walk in Christ.
Read Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 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. 9 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.
Big Idea: Know God’s truth, not yours.
There is a phrase in today’s culture that says, “know your truth.” These words imply that truth is flexible and bendable… something that changes based on the person, emotions, or situation. But Jesus said in John 16:13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” So how can we distinguish between the truth of God’s word and the opinions of others?
1-Read Truth: Ephesians 6:10-17 tells us that the battles we fight every day are not physical but spiritual and we defend ourselves with, “the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” To be able to see the truth from the lies, we must spend time in the word of God. Get in your Bible and read and memorize it. Knowing the truth will help you fight the deceptions and lies of Satan about who you are, who God is, and God’s heart for you.
2-Think Truth: Philippians 4:8-9 instructs us, “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.” As our minds are assailed by the darts of the enemy, we can stop and ask…”Is this pure? Is this lovely? Is this praiseworthy?” If not… we have the option to stop and pray that the Spirit of truth would guide us in truth. And when He does, His truth will bring us peace and draw us into a more intimate relationship with God.
3-Speak Truth: When you feel attacked, speak the truth of God’s word over your life and situation. As we read and memorize the scriptures, God will bring them back into our memory in times of need. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Speak it and pray God’s promises over your life and situation.
Today let’s join together and pray that we would put aside culture’s view of truth and that we may be able to, “discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10).
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