"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."
Philippians 4:8
1. Whatever is TRUE
What a concept: think about the truth! Don't think about the lies! If you think about the lies, you will eventually begin to act and feel on false pretenses. A lot of times we find ourselves in a whirlwind of emotions that leave us coocoo for cocopuffs all based upon a perception that is not reality! We have to save ourselves the trouble and choose instead to only dwell on truth! The truth about who we are in Christ, the truth about the nature of our relationships with others, and the truth of God's Word.
2. Whatever is HONORABLE
To God and to others! We mustn't fall prey to the false assumption that our honor towards other people is only measured by our outward actions!
3. Whatever is JUST
Be fair and reasonable even in our thoughts!
4. Whatever is PURE
We gotta get out minds out of the gutter! Obviously when it comes to sexual purity, but also in regards to the carnal filth that we are surrounded by day in and day out.
5. Whatever is LOVELY
Who could use a little bit of lovely in their life?
6. Whatever is COMMENDABLE
If our thoughts were flashing on a big screen, would people (not to mention God) commend us for them?
7. If there is any EXCELLENCE
Strive for it! Even in your mind!
8. If there is anything WORTHY OF PRAISE
This one, in my opinion, carries more weight with it than we may realize. Things that are obviously worthy of praise are good deeds, good behavior, and just good fruit in our lives. But aren't there so many things that we think about that deserve absolutely NO praise? The first things that came to my mind were our past sins, failures, and shortcomings. Our sin us ugly. Most of our failures are shameful. Our shortcomings are just constant reminders that we truly have "fallen short" of God's glory. In a nutshell, none of it is worthy of praise. So why do we so often dwell on them and fail to give the guilt and shame over to the Lord? Why do we waste so much brainpower rummaging through the thorns and thistles of our former deserted trails, rather than looking ahead on the road to glory? In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul explains how he "presses on" and forgets what lies behind and strains forward for what lies ahead. He made a cognitive decision to STOP THINKING about the past, to stop dwelling on the ugly, and to cease pondering the things from his past that were not deserving of any praise whatsoever. We, my lovely friends, must do the same! We have to get our minds right! I pray that we will begin to think on the things that will inspire praise and worship of God as well as fruitful living! May we not be trapped in our minds by our ugly and unbecoming pasts but rather move forward with a renewed mind!!
So what the heck are YOU thinkin'? Think on THESE things!
