Philippians 4:8 - Think On These Things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, 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.
COMMENTARY PEARL
I was tired when I first got up this morning, and I was
having a difficult time keeping my thoughts in line with the
instructions in the Scripture for today. We don't just automatically have all
lovely thoughts, and there are times when we must diligently direct our
thoughts in the right direction.
Several times, I actually had to say to myself, "No, I will
not think like that. I will think good things. It seemed as if
the flaws of anyone I knew were coming to my mind, one after
another, but through the help of the Holy Spirit and some diligence, I
won the battle. The "attack" on my mind lasted about five or ten
minutes and then it was over.
We must be firm in faith against the enemy when he attacks,
and as we are, he will soon go away. When Jesus was being tempted in
the wilderness, He withstood each lie of the devil, and finally the
devil went away to wait for a more opportune time (see Luke 4:13). We
never know when ungodly thoughts may try to gain access into our
minds, but we do know that as we stand firm, we'll always win the
battle.
Father, help me recognize when my thoughts are not pleasing
to You and give me the grace to think on things that are lovely and
pure. [My Time with God by Joyce Meyer] Great Thought On Dealing With
Demons
COMMENTARY
Change Your Thinking to Reduce Stress
Your mind is a special gift from God. Its capable of
storing more than 100 trillion thoughts. It can handle enormous amounts
of information. God has given you the freedom to choose what you
think about, from among all of that information.
The Bible says, 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 NIV).
Paul reminds us that we can choose what we think about, and
he encourages us to think about the right things. What we put into
our minds impacts how we live.
Its really no wonder were stressed when we consider
what most of us think about on a regular basis. Many people, even
Christians, allow anything and everything into their minds. Reading
depressing books and watching depressing movies will lead to only one
outcome.
What you think affects the way you feel; the way you feel
affects the way you act. Guard your mind. Keep your mind on the right
things.
Philippians 4:8 tells us to fix our minds on these good
things. Paul means that we need to make a deliberate choice. Change the
channel on our minds. Only allow in things that fit into the
characteristics described in that verse.
What happens when you do that?
You get what God promises in the prior verse: And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 NIV).
Doesnt that sound like its worth it? [Daily Devotional
by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
You Win or Lose the Battle Against Stress in Your Mind
Youll win or lose the battle against stress in your brain.
To cut down on stress, learn to control what gets into your
brain. Unfortunately, most of us treat our brains like a freeway, where
anything can drive right on in. And consequently, we let a lot of garbage
in. We consume movies, books, and social media content that focuses
our thoughts on the worst of the world.
But the Bible tells us, 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 NIV).
Think of the eight characteristics Paul describes in this
verse as a test to discern what you let into your mind. To lower the
stress in your life, you must change what you think about and control
what you allow in your mind. So before you read, watch, or talk about
something, ask yourself:
Is it true?
Is it noble?
Is it right?
Is it pure?
Is it lovely?
Is it admirable?
Is it excellent?
Is it praiseworthy?
Does that sound like what youve been watching on
television or reading in popular novels?
Probably not.
Think about the characteristics described in Philippians 4:8.
They all describe Jesus. Paul says to fix our eyes on the wonder of
who Jesus is, not the ugliness of this world around us.
When youve fixed your mind on Jesus, youre less likely
to be stressed out. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
Think about What You Think About
When you sit down to eat, you have to think about how the
food will affect you. For instance, I love spicy food. But I have to
think about when I eat it. If its eight or nine oclock at night,
theres no way Ill eat spicy food, because I know it will disturb my
sleep. So I have to make other choices.
In the same way, we have to think about what we think about.
Philippians 4:8 tell us, Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are
pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -
meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8 NKJV).
If you want personal peace, it involves the heart and the
mind. Isaiah 26:3 says of the Lord, You will keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You
(NKJV).
We need to ask ourselves, This show I am going to watch on
television - what kind of effect will it have on me? This movie that
Im about to go to - what effect will it have on me? This
music I am going listen to - what effect will it have on me?
If you want personal peace, it comes down to right thinking
and right praying. And it comes down to guarding what you put into
your mind, because when you stop and consider it, most temptations
you have faced have come first to your mind. The mind is command
central. With it we reach to the past through memories and to the future
through imagination.
We want to learn how to think biblically, not emotionally.
Apply the Scriptures to everything that youre facing in life. [By
Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such
things. This may sound easy, but it's actually quite countercultural.
People who work in the media almost always shine their spotlights on
what is wrong. They rarely bother to report good things that are
happening - especially the many good things My people are doing. Having a
positive focus is not only countercultural; it's contrary to human
nature. Your mind is a magnificent creation, but it is deeply fallen.
When Adam and Eve rebelled against Me in the Garden of Eden,
everything was damaged by the Fall. As a result, seeking to focus on
excellent things does not come naturally to you. It requires persistent
effort - making the right choice over and over again. Daily, moment by
moment, you choose to look for what is good. In spite of the massive
problems in your world, much remains that is worthy of praise. Moreover,
the One who is most praiseworthy is the One who is right beside you
- closer than your thoughts. Rejoice in Me, beloved! (Phi. 4:8;
Gen. 3:6; Pro. 16:16; Psa. 73:23) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170426-1339.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or testimony on this
passage of Scripture, either personal or otherwise, I would be
interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep uplifting
Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
