Think About What You Think About

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are [honest], 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)

TRUE & HONEST

True thoughts are not just fact-based, but rooted in the Word of God. This looks like thoughts that consider the full counsel of God.

Anxiety and worry are not truth because they deny the power of God.

Matthew 6:25-32 "…And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs."

Unthankfulness is not truth, because it denies the acts of God in times past.

Again, if I refuse to be thankful for what God has done or forget who He is; if I dwell only on the deception the enemy brings (“has God said…?”) my mind will become futile as I forget the works of God and it will lead to a darkened heart full of every evil thing.
Romans 1:21 “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile (vain, idolatrous, foolish) in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Discouragement is not truth because it denies who I am in Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

JUST & PURE

Just = innocent or holy, righteous
Pure = untainted or sincere

THE PURITY TEST:

• Are my thoughts uncontaminated with worldly ideas or philosophies or am I tainted with the ideas of the world?
• Do my thoughts pull always towards my own desires or are they unbiased and willing to consider others?
• Do I maintain the same degree of holiness in my thoughts as I do in how I represent myself to others?
• Is there a mixture of sin in my thinking or is it becoming of one who calls themselves by Christ’s name?
• If my thoughts were acted upon would it be sin?

Psalm 106:3 “Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times!”

LOVELY & OF GOOD REPORT

THE LOVELY TEST:

• If my thoughts were to be displayed would they render me beloved by anyone who saw them? Or better question, will my thoughts endear me to the heart of God…are they worthy of His beloved?
• Do they give a good report of myself and of others? Does it give a right report of the working of God in my life? Does it allow grace for the work of God in the lives of others?
• Do I have Joshua and Caleb thoughts, or do they more often tend to look more like the report of the 10 other spies? A good report does not mean unrealistic or covering over what should be taken into account, however a good report is always full of faith and believing that through Christ nothing is impossible. A lovely and good report always places expectations on the promises of God as being more important and weighty than “reality”. In fact, the promises of God are the only reality of a good report because they rely on the eternal faithfulness of God.

A good report does not ask God where He was, but it stands expectantly waiting to see the glory of God revealed yet again. (see John 11)

A good report understands the resurrection power of the love of God for myself and for others.

VIRTUOUS & PRAISEWORTHY

Virtuous thoughts are those that would not do damage to my reputation if others knew what I was thinking.
As Christians we are to be an example and a pattern for the rest of the world to follow…even in our thoughts. If my thoughts are not worthy of commendation or can’t be proclaimed from the rooftops then I should not be thinking them!

1 Timothy 4:12-15 "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all."


CONCLUSION

What weight do I give my thoughts? Do I view what I think about as important in the long term? Do I realize I will give account for my thoughts?

In the Gospels we see over and over again that Jesus knew the thoughts of those around Him; the thoughts of those people were always a representation of their character.

Matthew 9:4 "But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Why do you think evil in your hearts?'"

My thoughts indicate my character and determine my actions…which will in turn determine my destiny.

What I think about IS important!