"Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." -The Apostle Paul 

What is your mind fixed on today?

It is fixed on the recession, your divorce, circumstance, unemployment, an injustice suffered or hurts that are still unresolved with those whom you live, work or learn? 

Whatever you set your mind to believe, you will seek and find evidence of it. 

You will always be able to dig up something negative about your loved one, friend, boss, co-worker, professor, politician or pastor.  As long as we live in these frail human vessels, we will be able to find fault (which is something that impairs or detracts from physical perfection; a defect, failure, sin, cause, accusation or error); in other words, both the positive and negative will always remain. 

But what you choose to focus, think, weigh and take account of makes all the difference.

Your thoughts leave a trace that is visible on your countenance.  Sometimes as a husband, I find myself thinking on the positive things of my children more than my wife. (Don't trip; God is not finished with me.) Yet Paul did not say, "finally parents;" he said, "finally brethren;" in other words, finally husband, finally father, finally son, finally wife, finally daughter, whatever is right, pure, worthy of praise, etc. think or dwell on these things.

He didn't even instruct us to say them; he simply said "dwell" on these things, because Paul understood that your thoughts eventually convey your words.

So what does it mean to "dwell?"

Think of a single family dwelling.  It is fixed, stationary, immovable; it means to live at Philippians 4:8.  The Greek definition of the word "dwell" means to "abide in," to CONTINUE, ENDURE, REMAIN, STAND OR TARRY; sometimes indicating perseverance in continuing, whether in good or evil.  It signifies a "constant residence" and denotes "to wait."  It means "to remain in a place instead of leaving it, to stay behind," "to persevere," "unto the end;" or "to endure bravely and trustfully."  Metaphorically, it speaks "of cleaving unto a person," indicating persistent loyalty (of continuing in a thing.)

Where are you dwelling at today?

As leaders, we must make a decision to "stay behind."  When others think and dwell on things negative, vain and contrary to your intended purpose and destiny (Phil 4:8), you must make a decision to live here; to occupy, take residence on things true, honorable, seemly, just, lovable and excellent.

In Spurgeon's Devotional Evening and Morning, 11/29, he writes:

"Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God's Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord's people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the
name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah's wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal bond-Speak evil of no man."

This does not mean you do not confront problems.  Confrontation produces change.  We have a saying in our office, "If you challenge the system, you can change it."  But how we go about confronting matters should be in the spirit of Philippians 4:8 which was designed to protect you from injury and offense; It has nothing to do with how people are acting; or if they are unkind or unlovable; it simply says set your mind on these things. 

Even when you think you can't do it, verse 13 says:  "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who *infuses inner strength into me; I am *self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."

God makes you sufficient in areas of your life where you have been deficient.  And He would never command you to do anything that you could not "fully" perform or do.

RIGHT NOW, the ability to "DWELL" REMAIN, CONTINUE in persistent loyalty on things lovely, honorable, pure, kind, of good repute & worthy of praise is being tested to see "where you are dwelling" today.

The manifestation of becoming what God said we would be is always produced in tests.

If you are praying for patience, expect a situation that tests your patience; if you are praying for an anger problem, expect a situation that fuels your rage or pushes your buttons.  Likewise, when you pray for the mindset shift of Philippians 4:8, expect past hurts or an injustice to arise in your life to test your thought life.

Today, create a library of all the things listed in this passage about that person who has hurt you (or what you have learned from it) and dare to think on excellent things when the enemy ambushes your thoughts with the worst of that situation or person. 

God needs your heart to be undivided and uncontaminated by people that cannot control your destiny, promotion or paycheck.

When you determine to "live" in the right place, Philippians 4:19 kicks in:

"And my God will liberally supply (*fill to the full) your EVERY NEED according to HIS RICHES in glory in Christ Jesus."

But a house divided against itself cannot stand.