Focusing the Mind on God's Truth and Beauty

 Click on the "+“ to Expand and "-" to Collapse the branches. 

All + All -

Focusing the Mind on God's Truth and Beauty

• + - Scriptures
  • Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
  • Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
• + - The Renewed Mind
  • + - 真(TRUTH) “真 (Zhēn)”
    • Phil 4:8: “TRUE”(Align with God's Word)
    • Phil 4:8: “RIGHT”(Justice/Integrity)
    • Fruit: “FAITHFULNESS”(Steadfast loyalty)
    • Fruit: “PATIENCE”(Endurance in truth)
  • + - 善(GOODNESS) “善 (Shàn)”
    • Phil 4:8: “NOBLE”(Dignity/Holiness)
    • Phil 4:8: “PURE”(Moral clarity)
    • Phil 4:8: “ADMIRABLE”(Virtuous example)
    • Phil 4:8: “EXCELLENT”(Moral greatness)
    • Fruit: “GOODNESS”(Active virtue)
    • Fruit: “SELF-CONTROL”(Disciplined living)
    • Fruit: “KINDNESS”(Compassionate action)

     Click on the "+“ to Expand and "-" to Collapse the branches.

  • + - 美(BEAUTY) “美 (Měi)”
    • Phil 4:8: “LOVELY”(Gracious beauty)
    • Phil 4:8: “PRAISEWORTHY”(Worship-inspiring)
    • Fruit: “LOVE”(Sacrificial care)
    • Fruit: “JOY”(Divine delight)
    • Fruit: “PEACE”(Harmony with God)
    • Fruit: “GENTLENESS”(Strength in humility)
  • + - HOLY SPIRIT “Power Source”
    • “Gal 5:25: 'Walk by the Spirit'”
    • “John 15:5: 'Apart from Me, you can do nothing'”
  • + - How They Work Together
    • + - 真善美 Prepares the Soil
      • Truth (真) roots us in God’s reality → Fruit: Faithfulness
      • Goodness (善) purifies motives → Fruit: Goodness, Self-Control
      • Beauty (美) awakens worship → Fruit: Love, Joy, Peace
    • + - Phil 4:8 Plants the Seeds
      • Fixing thoughts on "whatever is true..." cultivates a mind receptive to the Spirit.
      • eg: Dwell on "Pure" (Phil 4:8) → Invites the Spirit to grow "Self-Control" (Gal 5:23).
    • + - The Spirit Grows the Fruit
      • The 9 Fruit aren’t self-produced; they’re the organic result of a mind surrendered to Christ (John 15:5).
      • Example: Meditating on "Lovely" things (Phil 4:8) → Nurtures "Joy" and "Peace" (Gal 5:22).
    • + - Matthew 13:23 (Parable of the Sower)
      • "A mind anchored in Truth (真),
      • nourished by Goodness (善),
      • captivated by Beauty (美),
      • becomes a fertile field for the Spirit’s harvest."
  • + - DAILY PRACTICE“How to Cultivate”
    • “MORNING: Choose 1 of 真善美”
    • “NOON: Apply 1 Phil 4:8 virtue”
    • “EVENING: Reflect on 1 Fruit evidenced”
  • + - A Unified Prayer
    • "Father, till the soil of my soul with 真 (Truth)—uproot every lie.
    • Strengthen me with 善 (Goodness)—purify my desires.
    • Awaken my heart to 美 (Beauty)—that I may see Your glory.
    • As I fix my mind on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy,
    • + - Breathe Your Spirit through me:
      • Grow love where I strive, joy where I sigh, peace where I fear,
      • patience where I rush, kindness where I judge, goodness where I doubt,
      • faithfulness where I waver, gentleness where I force, self-control where I crave.
      • Make my life a harvest that honors You. Amen."