Philippians 4:8-9 (CSB), “(8) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable— if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy— dwell on these things. (9) Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”

It’s pleasing to God when we strive daily to live in the center of His will.

The fourth chapter of Philippians is far from Paul’s way of simply wrapping up his letter to the church of Phillippi. It is highly significant, for it consists of crucial exhortations to focus on God’s will (vv. 4-9), Paul’s thanks for the Philippians’ gifts (vv. 10-20), as well as a greeting and final blessing (vv. 21-23) (NIV Zondervan Study Bible Notes).

Paul’s “crucial exhortations” are also great holiness habits for all believers to develop. Paul says whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, moral excellence, and praiseworthy—for the believers to “dwell” on these things. The word dwell in this passage is an instruction to “fill their minds with things that will inspire worship of God and service to others” (ESV Study Bible Notes). But notice Paul doesn’t just tell them to do these things—he lived it out. He reminds them they have “heard from me” and “seen in me” these characteristics. (v. 9)

The Little Things

Nick Saban is one of the most decorated head coaches of the modern era. He knows what it takes to win—and it begins with the small things. According to Tuscaloosa News, during his 17-year tenure, Coach Saban left Alabama with an absurd 206-29 record, a winning percentage of .877 and a 16-7 record in bowl games. Saban’s Tide won six national championships, including three in the College Football Playoff era. Saban also went 120-18 in the SEC, creating a standard of success for college football coaches that only a few have touched. Saban won double-digit games in every Alabama season except his first season.

So, what was Coach Saban’s “secret sauce” to his winning formula…? How did he turn a team that was 6-7 the year before into champions?

  • Vision. You must have a vision for what you want to accomplish in your organization. Vision helps everyone understand the “why” behind their actions.
  • Commitment to the Process. The things that you must do to be successful at whatever the vision is. Success is just the end result—it’s the daily habits that you set up that drive those results.
  • Discipline to Execute. The most important thing, and where people fail the most, is you must have the discipline to execute it every day. Discipline is what you are supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it and the way it’s supposed to get done.

“I think the biggest challenge is to stay focused on the things that you can control and not worry about the things that you can’t.” —Coach Nick Saban

So, how can we adopt these Philippians 4:8 principles and develop habits of holiness?

  • Write steps down. This is what I’m going to do daily to achieve the vision. At 9:00 a.m., what will you do? At 10:15 a.m.? Be proactive instead of reactive. Manage your calendar to the best of your ability instead of letting it control you.
  • Win in the small details. Small steps add up over time. Commit to showing up early and staying a little late. Give a project owner two or three options for a headline instead of one. Goals are great; habits are better. What practices are in your daily rhythms that will help you get there?
  • Weather the storms. Quit is not in the vocabulary. Words like habits and discipline are difficult at best sometimes. “But God, I wanted this so badly…” “Trust me son (or daughter), my thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways…” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The Best News

The best news in developing habits is you don’t have to do it alone. In fact, you should never do it alone. Philippians 4:9c states, “…and the God of peace will be with you.”

In a world filled with anxiety, God promises you… happiness. No, He promises something much better… peace. John 14:27 states, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.”

In a world…

  • Filled with lies, give people the truth.
  • Occupied with dishonorable acts, be honorable.
  • Packed with wrongdoings, live justly.
  • Tainted with sin, strive for purity in all you say and do.
  • Adoring unpleasant things, seeing what is lovely, and pursuing it.
  • Engaged in reprehensible acts, be commendable
  • Satisfied with mediocracy, chase excellence
  • Desiring the credit, give God the praise