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Philippians 4.8 (NIV)
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.
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| We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals.* |
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The
mind is the “final frontier” for those of us who have been Christians a long
time. You could follow me around most days and conclude that I am in compliance
with nine out of the ten commandments. But obeying the “letter of the law” has
never been enough. In the Old Testament and the New, we learn that God wants
our hearts and our minds, not just outward obedience.
When
I read this verse, I find myself humming, “These are a few of my favorite
things . . .” In that song, it says, “I simply remember my favorite things and
then I don’t feel so bad.” Same concept. Paul is offering us the secret formula
for mental health. The recipe for a pure thought-life. The how-to manual for a
disciplined mind. The answer to the question, “I’m obeying, now what else do
you want me to do?”
As
always, we are not told what not to do and then left with a void for Satan to
fill. We are to think about what is true in place of what is dishonest and
unreliable. Noble thoughts replace those that are undignified and unworthy of
respect. Right, conforming to God’s standards, takes the place of wrong. Pure thoughts replace unwholesome ones. Thinking
about what is lovely promotes peace rather than conflict. And admirable
thoughts replace negative and destructive ones.*
Garbage in, garbage out is as true of our minds as it is
of our computers. To quote another writer: “Each of us has only so much mental space. What is
filled with frivolity, foolishness, and filth cannot be filled with goodness
and godliness.”*
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| Inward peace is not preserved by feeding the thoughts upon the unwholesome.* |
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