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
INTRODUCTION
The Christian mind is characterized by
purity and truth. What we put into our minds
determines what comes out in our words and actions.
Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts
that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely,
admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Do you have
problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine
what you are putting into your mind through
television, books, conversations, movies, and magazines.
Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above
all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help
you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It
takes practice, but it can be done. [Life
Application SB]
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
Our old house was less than 2 miles away
from chemical plants and an oil refinery. After
tasting the tap water, I started buying bottled
water and then splurged on a water purifier that
claimed to remove 99.9 percent of contaminants from
any water source. The water tasted great, but
since the canister was stainless steel, I didn't
always know when it needed to be refilled.
Sometimes I found it empty when I wanted to cook, make
a pitcher of tea, or fill the water bottle I
sipped from all day. Then it dawned on me: first
thing every morning, I could empty the lower
chamber and completely refill the top chamber. That
would ensure I had purified water ready when I
needed it.
One morning as I poured the water in,
something else dawned on me: first thing every
morning, I could apply a filter to my thoughts. Every
day my mind can be polluted by outside
influences such as images or conversations, or from the
inside through negative emotions like anger,
jealousy, or resentment. If I fix my thoughts on Jesus
and His Word early in the day, I will be more
likely to recognize any attitude that is not worthy
of a Christ follower.
Each day, when I set a filter to purify
my thoughts, I'll be ready to share the One Who
Provides Living Water with anyone I meet. Dianne Neal
Matthews
Faith Step: Honor Jesus by giving Him the
first few minutes of your day. Ask Him to help you
guard your thought life and filter out anything
unpleasing to Him. [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional
by Guideposts and Zondervan]
CLOSING THOUGHT
What consumes your mind controls your life.
Today, try asking God to free you from anxious
thoughts and to remind you of all that is commendable
and good while keeping your heart fixed on Jesus
- not just during prayer time, but all day
long. [The Practice of the Presence of God: 40 Day
Devotional by Brother Lawrence/Alan Vermilye]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Philippians 4:8 - What Are You Feeding Your
Mind?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240121-0736.html
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/
