Women of Courage- Lydia June 20, 2015

Women of Courage- Lydia  June 20, 2015

Philippians 3 – What it is to have the mind of Christ

Shera handed out a summary from a book written by John MacArthur. In the first paragraph was a portion of John Bunyan’s allegory from “The Holy War”.  It speaks of how Satan continues to assault us to turn us from God.  He often does this in ways that seem pleasing to us.  

We returned to Philippians 1:27-2:5

²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. ²⁹ For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; ³⁰ Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, ² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. ⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

And how do we keep this mind:  Eph. 6:10-20  The full armor of God!

The breastplate covered the vital areas. The soldier needed to protect that area since much of their fighting was hand to hand, face to face.

Prov. 23:7;  The mind and emotions encompass everything that causes a person to act: one’s knowledge, understanding, conscience, will, desires, and drives.

Self-righteousness- Satan has people believe they are going to heaven because of their good deeds.  Luke 18:9-14 How many times have we thought like this Pharisee! Luke 15:21-32  The prodigal son. He was self-righteous as well.  Mark 10:35-45 and Matt 20:20-28 – there was even self-righteousness within the apostles.  The ten were very displeased with the request of John and James. Deluded – to deceive to fool, to thin it down. 

Just like the fool in Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

1 Peter 4:1-5 If we are paying attention to Satan we will be deluded.  They were listening to the wrong voice.  How quickly it can happen when we don’t pay attention to God’s truth.  What are we paying attention to?  Especially when we are alone! Are we the same behind closed doors? Are we stopping the conversations that aren’t right or are we going to continue down that path? But we need to be careful not to fall into self-righteousness!

Imputed Righteousness – is the righteousness from Christ, which gives us the victory over death and eternity with Christ

Practical Righteousness – is righteousness that assures you of ultimate victory over Satan, which allows us to win the daily skirmishes.  Philippians 3:4-16

¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Satan will always look for the weakness in a believer’s armor. He will exploit whatever weakness he finds.  Sometimes self-love blinds us, but another, a true companion, will dare to speak out for you, to bring you back to the sure walk, to keep our heart and our walk in the truth.

Romans 13:11-14  Live holy and be willing to hear the truth about yourself.


Isaiah 59:14-17  ;  Romans 13:11-14;  2 Tim 4:7-8
Keeping our armor on and fighting the good fight.