Philip Dampier's Blog

Chapter 4, Verse 9 “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Paul has instructed them in the proper way to think and how it will affect their life’s outcome. Now, he turns to behavior. How…

Chapter 4, Verse 8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Paul is ready to close the letter. He has written…

Three: Don’t speak words against the Spirit. Mark 3:29 “…but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin—for they were saying, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’” Blasphemy is the hardened, habitual denial of the power of the Spirit of God. It is…

Two: Don’t quench the Spirit. 1 Thess. 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit.” Paul sees the Holy Spirit living within us as a fire to stir us up to do the godly works we were created for. If we listen to the Spirit and obey the Spirit, He will motivate…

Chapter 4, Verse 5 “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;” It seems natural that a joyful life would lead to gentle spirit toward others. Not only should the world see Christians as joyful people but as people who are fair minded, just, and gentle towards…

One: Don’t grieve the Spirit. Eph. 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” This admonition of Paul’s comes in the middle of a list of things that Christians shouldn’t do. It would not be a far reach…

Chapter4, Verse 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” This is a central theme of Paul’s that we recognize. In spite of his circumstances, he has joy and he encourages the church to find the same. Did he and they have reasons to be sad or dismayed?…