THINK
RIGHT: WIN THE FIGHT!
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.
Philippians 4:8
Rhonda
grew up in a small town where everyone knew your name. As a little girl, she
would regularly run with her sisters to their elderly neighbors, ring the
doorbell, and ask for a happy pill. The couple smiled, put a happy pill in each
extended palm, and the girls went on their merry way. It wasn’t until years
later Rhonda learned the pills had a name: jellybeans.
Philippians
chapter 4, verse 8 has a happy-pill ring to it. You can’t help but smile as you
recite the positive words and repeated “whatevers.” That said we must recognize
that this isn’t a soft, jellybean truth that you can swallow and go on your
merry way. The reality of living out this verse requires wartime living.
There
is a continuous battle in our minds between God the Spirit and our sworn
enemies: the world, our sinful nature, and the devil. To think thoughts that
are pleasing to the Spirit we must concentrate, focus, and ponder on God’s
Philippians 4:8 think-about list. Here’s a nutshell definition of each word
that we’ll unpack together in the weeks to come.
Truth: Think thoughts that run plumb to
what God’s Word says. Sanctify them by
the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17).
Noble: Think thoughts that are worthy
of respect and honor. Set your minds on
things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
Right: Think thoughts that are just and
good. He has showed you, O man, what is
good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
Pure: Think thoughts that are blameless
and holy. Create in me a pure heart, O
God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
Lovely: Think thoughts that are
beautiful and pleasing to God. May the
words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
Admirable: Think thoughts that are
wonderful and worthy. Great is the LORD
and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom (Psalm 145:3).
Excellent and Praiseworthy: Think
thoughts that God approves of. Jesus said, “Love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
Think on it: This week memorize one or
more of these Scripture passages from God’s think about list.
The very fact that Paul is telling us what we should focus on reveals a
critical point: We always have a choice. We have a choice. With God’s help, we can control our thoughts.
Tommy Newberry
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