The Mental Diet (Philippians 4:8-9)
What if our mental health is influenced by what we take into it?
What if our minds have a diet?
Philippians 4:8-9 “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.”
It sounds like to me that – Our mind has a diet
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
There are two big words here that directly influence the path you are on:
- Conform
- Transform
Filter #1 – Is it true?
John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
Filter #2 – Is it noble?
CHOOSE WHAT DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION
Filter #3 – Is it Right?
Does it lead me towards what God considers right?
Filter #4 – Is it Pure?
James 1:14-15 “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
The thing about sin is this – It will grow
Filter #5 – Is it lovely?
Filter #6 – Is it admirable?
Don’t let the ugly things of this world become a permanent residence in your mind.
Filter #7 Is it excellent?
The thing about excellence – It takes intentionality
Filter #8 Is it praiseworthy?
Does this lead towards worship or away from worship?
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”
1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything”
We can’t control everything that comes into our minds, but we can take control of what stays in our mind.
Philippians 4:9 “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.”
Don’t just:
- Think about it
- Do it
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
