#111: Philippians 4:13

On episode 111, Tim discusses one of the most out of context verses in the bible and then shares what it means to be content.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
What does it mean to be content? We're about to
discuss one of the most out of context versus in
the book of the Bible. Today. We pick up in Philippians,
chapter four, verses ten, and we're going to read through
verse thirteen. So it starts in verse ten. If you

(00:22):
want to follow along in your Bibles or on your phone,
that'd be cool. Maybe you don't. That's okay too, if
you just want to sit back and listen. This is
what it says. The apostle Paul writes, I ridgjoys greatly
in the Lord that at last you have renewed your
concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you
had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying

(00:45):
this because I am in need, for I have learned
to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it
is to be in need, and I know what it
is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well fed
or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I

(01:07):
can do everything through Him who gives me strength. That's
the verse I'm talking about, verse thirteen. I can do
everything through him who gives me strength. That verse is
so often taken out of context because the context that

(01:29):
the Apostle Paul is writing about is contentment, and whether
he is in plenty or in want, whether he is
satisfied or is in need, whether he's hungry or well fed.

(01:50):
The Apostle Paul is saying, I can do everything through
Him who gives me strength. What does this verse is
not saying is Oh, you've been a doctor or a
teacher and that's your profession. Why don't you stop that

(02:12):
and become a professional basketball player or suit up for
your favorite football team. Many people think that that that
verse is saying exactly that, But what it is saying
is whether in need or in want, I can do

(02:33):
everything through Him who gives me strength. And being content
really is about relying on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us.
Because what I often times do is I turn my

(02:58):
head and look at someone else and see what they
have and see the success they have, and I want
that for myself. And what I am doing is creating
jealousy envy. I was wishing I was their success, and

(03:21):
then what happens is I become discontent. Contentment is about
putting down the fleshly desires, which Scripture so often talks about,
and looking to the Lord and being grateful. In Galatians

(03:48):
five seventeen, it says this, for the flesh desires what
is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is
contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other,
so that you are not to do whatever you want.

(04:10):
And contentment and discontentment fall into the category of fleshly
desire and spirit by the spirit, and through the Spirit,
we can be content. If we are going to act

(04:34):
in the flesh, through the flesh, we are going to
desire things, and it will make us discontent. So our prayer,
our mindset needs to be on the spirit and desiring

(04:56):
what the Spirit wants for us and submit to it,
not turning our head and looking at what everybody else has.
And that's what the apostle Paul is writing. I have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances. How many of
us can say that. I don't think I can, because

(05:21):
there are many days where I wish I had someone
else's success or I wish I made more money, and
that's not what I'm supposed to do. I am supposed
to be content, and whatever the circumstances. And what's so
interesting about it is we pursue these things and look

(05:44):
at others success and it makes us discontent. We are
creating our own discontentment by looking to others, We're doing
it to ourselves. So I hope this was in urging
for you today, and I hope this verse Philippians four
thirteen brought more context than you previously understood. Thanks for

(06:08):
joining the show, Hit that rate review button, hit that
followup button wherever you're listening, and I hope you have
a wonderful day filled by the Holy Spirit.