Scripture References:

Philippians 4:1-9

HOW TO NOT BE A CATFISH CHRISTIAN

1. Where you dwell will determine how you develop. Paul starts with the environment: “stand firm in the Lord… live in harmony… rejoice… let your gentle spirit be known” (vv. 1–5). The church in Philippi loves Jesus, but relational dysfunction has become the water they’re swimming in. Stay in the waters of offense, gossip, comparison, cynicism, and division long enough, and eventually that environment starts getting inside you. A fish doesn’t consciously decide to smell like its water—it simply dwells there long enough. You can be saved and still be swimming somewhere you don’t belong.

2. What you dwell on will eventually dwell in you. Paul moves from where you’re dwelling to what you’re feeding on: “whatever is true… honorable… right… pure… lovely… of good repute… dwell on these things” (v. 8). Anxiety says dwell on what could happen; offense says dwell on what they did; shame says dwell on what you did. Paul says you don’t have to give everything that enters your mind somewhere to live. Not every thought deserves to become my brain's nourishment—some thoughts need to starve. Your mind will eventually take the shape of what it repeatedly consumes.

3. What you practice determines what you produce. You don’t become spiritually healthy accidentally. Paul says “practice these things.” Practice prayer. Practice gratitude. Practice reconciliation. Practice rejoicing. Practice directing your mind toward what is true. Because eventually what you repeatedly practice stops feeling like something you do and starts becoming who you are. Verse 7 promises “the peace of God,” while verse 9 promises “the God of peace will be with you.” The practice of godliness produces a person of peace. There is a rest, there is peace, there is hope; be like Jesus.