Philippians 4:8 - What Are You Feeding Your Mind?
Philippians 4:8 (NLT) Fix your thoughts on
what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure,
and lovely, and admirable. Think about things
that are excellent and worthy of praise.
WORD STUDY
KJV; true; honest; just; pure; lovely; good
report; virtue; praise
NKJV; true; noble; just; pure; lovely; good
report; virtue; praiseworthy
NIV; true; noble; right; pure; lovely;
admirable; excellent; praiseworthy
ESV; true; honorable; just; pure; lovely;
commendable; excellent; praiseworthy
NLT; true; honorable; right; pure; lovely;
admirable; excellent; praiseworthy
COMMENTARY PEARL
The chief requisite of language is that it
be pure and kind and true - "the outward
expression of an inward grace." God says: "Whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:8. And if such are the thoughts, such will
be the expression. ED235
COMMENTARY
Real Positive Thinking
"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. The
things which you learned and received and heard and
saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will
be with you" (Philippians 4:8, 9).
According to a report by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the practice of
meditation to lessen anxiety and pain jumped from 4.1
percent to 14.2 percent in only five years. This
form of meditation, originating from various
pagan religions, involves emptying one's mind and
chanting mantras for the purpose of
self-actualization. This isn't what is portrayed in today's
passage. This Eastern meditation is what the Bible
warns against, for its idolatrous roots
(Deuteronomy 12:30), its prioritization of self over God
(Exodus 20:3), and its gateway to demonic forces
(Matthew 12:43-45).
It's no secret that what we put into our
minds impacts our emotional wellbeing. That's why
"a merry heart does good, like medicine"
(Proverbs 17:22). But this counterfeit meditation
burgeoning in popularity works like a poison. Instead,
the Bible counsels us to meditate on - that is,
to think about - only what is virtuous and
worthy of praise. Today's passage gives a whole
list of descriptors, but the Bible makes it even
simpler: The Bible says that it is God who is true
(John 3:33), God who is just (Deuteronomy 32:4),
God who is pure (1 John 3:2, 3). In other words,
we are to meditate on God and the things of
God.
In following this counsel, we receive the
promise of true healing to our anxiety and pain: We
receive peace because "the God of peace will be with
[us]."
Dear God, please help me to uplift my
thoughts to You and to keep my thoughts on You that I
may be cured by Your peace. [The Most Amazing
Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]
Fix Your Thoughts
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one
final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true,
and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely,
and admirable. Think about things that are
excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 NLT)
I like to listen to things that build me
up spiritually. Often when I catch even a few
minutes of a Bible-teaching program, I hear
something that speaks to me. Its just what I needed
to hear at that moment.
Philippians 4:8 tells us, And now,
dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix
your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and
right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think
about things that are excellent and worthy of
praise.
Writing about the Christians spiritual
armor, the apostle Paul said, Put on salvation
as your helmet, and take the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17
NLT).
The helmet covers the head, and in
spiritual battle we want to protect our minds. The
mind is command central, and most temptation
comes in the realm of our thoughts. Satan
recognizes the value of gaining a foothold in our
thoughts and imaginations because this prepares the
way for thoughts to become actions.
As the adage says, Sow a thought, reap
an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a
habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a
destiny. It starts with a thought.
Sin isnt merely a matter of actions
and deeds. It is something within the heart and
mind that ultimately leads to action. Sin
deceives us into believing that because we havent
committed the actual act, we are okay.
The Bible tells us to think about the
things of heaven, not the things of earth
(Colossians 3:2 NLT).
Theres a benefit to constantly filling
our minds with the things of God. Isaiah 26:3
says, You will keep in perfect peace all who
trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on
you! (NLT).
The only way to protect ourselves against
ungodly influences is to fill our minds with the
things of God. [Greg Laurie from Harvest
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Philippians 4:8 - What Are You Feeding Your
Mind?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230401-0838.html
Philippians 4:8 - Thinking That Leads to Joy
in Jesus.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211126-1031.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210523-1035.html
Philippians 4:8: Stress Management Starts in
the Mind.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220706-0921.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
