THINK ON THESE THINGS

Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi, “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).

Have you ever been around someone whose conversation was the opposite of these? Their speech is base and vulgar. Compare that with someone whose speech is always honorable, lovely, and pure. What makes the difference? The heart, their thoughts. Have you ever said something and then said, “I didn’t mean that. I didn’t think before I said it.” That is impossible. The things we say come from our thoughts. Jesus said that the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart and defile a man (Matthew 15:18).

Paul admonishes us to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. We should give every effort to keep our minds controlled by that which is wholesome. One cannot expect to keep his mind pure if he constantly holds his attention on things that are not pure. A dirty story, salacious literature and movies, as well as gossip, are not the kind of things that the pure in heart enjoy. It is a sad commentary on society that pro­moters of filthy literature and entertainment are getting rich doing it.

It is imperative that we fill our minds with good things. It is not enough just to avoid the evil and impure thoughts. If our minds are not used constructively, they will be used destructively. Remember the old saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If we do not actively pursue using our mind for good things, Satan will simply take it and use it for his purposes.

We read in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These sins are first committed in the heart, before the overt act. The sin, therefore, is the child of a corrupt mind. The most vicious crimes may be committed because a person allowed his mind to dwell continually on wickedness. It is not surprising that the Scriptures warn so plainly of the danger of thinking about the wrong things.
Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Psalms 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalms 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in
Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

What are you thinking?

--Lamar