That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:"). Lust is a love that hates God and loves things that are not of God. [1 Thessalonians 4:4-5]


It is a journey to take possession of our vessel in such a way.

especially since such desires are becoming culturally as unavoidable, expected, encouraged, and ingrained in our psyches as 'technology' is becoming in our homes

The hardest lesson to learn, even through adulthood is that that not everything that feels good in the moment is good for us down the road,,, especially if we are interested in a path to 'salvation'


I can admit that my biggest 'struggle' is taking possession of my vessel and standing firm against the reprogramming of the culture to accept and partake in whatever 'feels good' or 'doesnt harm someone else'

of the ten commandments, the final one, regarding controlling our thoughts, is the one I continue to constantly work on

not coveting what isnt mine or what wasnt meant for me,,

It is so significant , for single christians, to continue to set their sites on their eternal relationship with God, and not get too wrapped up in their desire for the physical relationships with men/women

I didnt state this as eloquently as miles or song, but it was on my mind and I just felt like writing,,,

Philippians 3:7-21

7, But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8, Yea doubtless,
and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung,
that I may win Christ,

9, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death;

11, If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15, Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing
ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16, Nevertheless,
whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so
as ye have us for an ensample.

18, (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping,
that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19, Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame,
who mind earthly things.)

20, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour,
the Lord Jesus Christ:

21, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,
according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Apostle Paul


"(We) can do all things through through Christ which strengthens (us)" Philippians 4:13

Apostle Paul

(paraphrased by CeriseRose)


I pray that you find that strength, msharmony.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

The Mind Of Christ (2:5-11)

INTRODUCTION

1. In verses 1-4 of this second chapter, Paul wrote about "The Unity
That Produces Joy", in which he described:
a. The MOTIVATION for having this unity
b. The NATURE of this unity
c. The ATTITUDES necessary to have this unity

2. In describing the latter, he called upon the Philippians to:
a. Do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit
b. Have lowliness of mind in which they esteem others better than
themselves
c. Look out for the interests of others, and not only those of their
own

3. In verse 5, Paul continues to exhort them to have "this mind" (the
attitudes of verses 3-4), pointing out that this is also the "mind of
Christ"

4. In the following verses (6-11), Paul elaborates on the "mind of
Christ" (or the attitude of Christ), which will serve as the focus of
this particular study...

[First, note that "The Mind Of Christ"...]

I. LACKED SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT (6)

A. PRIOR TO HIS INCARNATION...
1. Jesus was "in the form of God"
a. That is, "He existed as essentially one with God" (Vincent's
Word Studies)
b. This is in accord with what we read in Jn 1:1-3
2. He was also "equal with God"
a. Again notice Jn 1:1
b. He certainly shared similar glory with the Father (Jn 17:5),
something the Father refused to share with any created being
(cf. Isa 42:8)

B. YET CHRIST DID NOT CONSIDER SUCH EQUALITY "ROBBERY"...
1. Literally, "a thing to be grasped"; that is, something to be
laid hold of, and retained jealously
2. The "glory" of equality with God which Christ enjoyed from
eternity was not something He felt like He HAD to cling on to
3. A true demonstration of a lack of selfish ambition and conceit
on the part of our Lord!

C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"?
1. Do we consider our "standing" before others (whatever that may
be) something to be held on to?
2. Do we consider ourselves more important than others, and
consider that distinction something to be preserved at all
costs?
-- IF SO, THEN WE LACK "THE MIND OF CHRIST"!

[As we continue to read on in our text, we see also that "The Mind Of
Christ"...]

II. LOOKED OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS (7-8)

A. WHEN CHRIST BECAME FLESH...
1. He "made Himself of no reputation"
a. Some versions say "emptied Himself"
b. He divested Himself of the "glory" He had with the Father
- cf. Jn 17:5
2. He took upon Himself "the form of a servant"
a. He did not come as a "king", "nobleman", etc.
b. But as the lowly son of a simple carpenter
3. He came "in the likeness of men"
a. As such, He could experience their temptations and
sufferings - He 2:14,17-18; 4:15; 5:7
b. In other words, though deity, He was truly "man" (not some
sort of "superman")
4. He "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,
even the death of the cross"
a. Consider He 5:8
b. Though in every way a man like you or me (while still the
Son of God), He humbled Himself and obediently suffered and
died on the cross!
-- WHY DID JESUS DO ALL THIS?

B. HE DID IT ALL FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS!
1. He became man, humbled himself as a man, was obedient, and then
died on the cross...because it was in our own best interest!
2. He did it, to bear OUR reproach - cf. Ro 15:1-3; Isa 53:4-6
3. Yes, He was looking out for OUR interests!

C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"?
1. We do, if we are looking out for the interests of others
2. We do, if we are willing to humble ourselves, even sacrifice
ourselves if it be in the best interests of others - cf. 1Jn
3:16

[Such is "The Mind Of Christ", one of humility and service to others;
but it is also one that is...]

III. HIGHLY EXALTED BY GOD (9-11)

A. IN THE CASE OF JESUS...
1. He is a good example of the Scriptural maxim: "He that humbles
himself shall be exalted"
2. For God has highly exalted Jesus in two ways:
a. In the PRESENT - by giving Him "the name which is above
every name" (the name by which men must be saved - Ac 4:12)
b. In the FUTURE - that at His name "every knee should bow...
that every tongue should confess" He is Lord! - Re 5:11-14

B. BUT ALSO IN OUR CASE...
1. Those who possess "The Mind Of Christ" will participate in that
great future exaltation of Christ! - Ro 8:16-18; 2Th 1:10-12
2. Isn't this a wonderful motivator for us to have "The Mind Of
Christ"?

CONCLUSION

1. We have seen in this passage that "The Mind Of Christ" involves...
a. Humility
b. Obedience
c. Sacrifice
d. Great Reward

2. Do we possess "The Mind Of Christ"? We should, for it is the "key"
to:
a. The unity that produces joy!
b. One day sharing in "glory" together with Christ!

3. As Christians, let's be diligent to manifest "The Mind Of Christ" in
our relationship to God and to each other

If you are not a Christian, why not begin possessing "The Mind of
Christ" by following His example of humble obedience to the Will of God?
http://executableoutlines.com/ph/ph_09.htm

This works for me at work. When I remember that I am only just a servant the job goes a lot easier. When I pray before going to work and ask for my Jesus' help it is best that I give him credit for what he has done. Then I get to reap the rewards of what he has done. It is best that I do not credit for what he has done. One scripture bears this out by saying:

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Luke 16:29 "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
Luke 16:31 "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
2 Timothy 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Christianity is simple; obey the Master's command at all times, and the Holy Spirit will guide you in all things. Then the spirit of lust will flee, and you'll keep him out!

A revolutionary and evolutionary step up for me was to realize that I am not God. Prayer makes much so much more sense when you realize that God is real. Because when people see you talking to yourself they can think that you are crazy. But when you tell them that you are just praying some will think that you are not crazy.