Standing Firm in Difficult Times
Week 3 Study Guide
“Stand Firm With Mind Focused”
Introduction
Worry. Anxiety. Fretful. Tense. I am sure we have all felt these things at one time or another in our lives. The enemy Satan has a strategy that he always uses to keep the follower of Jesus from standing strong. Satan's strategy is to attack our mind. His goal is to bring doubt which, if entertained, will lead to defeat. Satan seeks to have us question God's faithfulness and destroy our trust in God alone. The result of Satan's attack is to cause worry or anxiety. Once this happens, our focus has shifted from God—and His provision and faithfulness—to the circumstances around us.
Worry and faith are not compatible. Jesus spoke often about worry (see the above additional verses). Jesus also spoke about the peace that he offers to His followers (John 14:27). It is important to differentiate between situations in which we can do something and those in which we cannot. Worry, however, will never resolve any circumstance or situation. Jesus desires His followers to live worry-free lives. These verses give us excellent insight into how to live a worry-free life. Please note that a worry-free life is not a problem-free life—rather, it is a life of prayer and trust.
Background Information
Paul had a special place in his heart for the people of Philippi. He founded the church and had deep personal relationships with the people there (Acts 16). Reading through Philippians 1:3-11 will give you a sense of how Paul felt for this group of people. In Philippians 4:1, twice Paul uses the Greek word love that refers to unconditional love when referencing his feeling toward the people at Philippi. The word "therefore" at the beginning of chapter 4 ties chapter 4 to the verses immediately preceding it in chapter 3:20-21. Calling them brothers and sisters again indicates Paul's deep affection for the people at Philippi.
In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul sets forth a very practical way to deal with worry and anxiety. The word “guard” used in verse 7 is a Greek military term and was used of soldiers guarding a gate and not letting anyone in. What a beautiful picture of how God promises to guard our hearts from worry! Verse 8 is a beautiful verse and one that would be great to memorize. The key in verse 8 is the last part, which in the New American Standard translation is "dwell on these things." The idea is that God's Word will so fill your thoughts that there is no space for thoughts of worry or doubt.
Message Outline
I. The Goal: Stand Firm in the Lord — Philippians 4:1
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Satan's strategy is to cause you to focus on things outside of your control (people and circumstances) so that those things control you.
II. The Divine Exchange — Philippians 4:6-7
Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
In order to stand firm in the Lord, you must replace worry with prayer.
III. Winning the Battle for Your Mind — Philippians 4:8
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. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6
The battle for the mind is won when we capture negative thoughts, replace worry with prayer, and saturate our minds with God's Word.
Digging Deeper Questions
What types of things do people worry about? What types of things cause you to worry? Why do you think people worry? Is it possible not to worry?
What does it mean to stand firm (verse 1)? How is that related to worry or anxiety?
Read verses 6 and 7 out loud several times. Break it down into parts and discuss each part. What are prayers? Petitions? Requests? Is there a difference between them?
How would you describe to someone the peace of God? How can someone experience for themselves the peace of God? Did you ever have a situation in your life where you felt the peace of God?
Read over verse 8 and pick out the things that Paul says to think about. Give examples for each of them. Why did he pick these?
What does it mean to think about these things (verse 8)? Discuss how you would put this into practice.
What will you apply from this study? Be specific.
This Week’s Challenge
Write out the verses Philippians 4:6-7 on a piece of paper and carry it with you this week. Each time the temptation to worry comes, read the verses and pray to God about what is worrying you.
Additional Resources