Tuesday, July 2, 2025
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 CSB
Think About This…
Philippians chapter 4 is the conclusion of the letter that Paul sent to the church in Philippi encouraging them to stay strong in their faith, concentrate on their relationship with God and serve each other in humility and love. One of the parting bits of wisdom he has for them(and us) is about our thoughts and what we should be focusing on.
Paul gives some examples of what we should be focusing on such as whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy. These things he listed are good things for us to put into our minds that will produce good fruit that will come out of us as a result. What we put into our minds definitely influences our actions and what kind of fruit we produce in our lives. As followers of Jesus, we want everything we say and do to glorify him and point others to him.
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 - Our thoughts can get us in a whole lot of trouble if we let them. They can cause us undue worry, fear, and anxiety. They can steal our precious moments with spirals that can take us far away from what we should really be focusing on. How can we get a grip on our thoughts? We can be transformed by the renewing of our minds – in him. When we spend time in the Word and in prayer we tend to have less spiraling thoughts. When we are in communion with him on a regular basis, renewing our minds and growing in relationship with him, we will be focused on all the good things and bearing his fruit in our lives.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 - When we belong to Jesus, our minds and bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit, and we are to glorify him with our whole being. Intrusive and unwelcome thoughts can pop in our minds and the only way to handle them is to not dwell on them and take them captive, giving them over to Christ.
Paul then tells them to do what he has taught them and what they have seen him do. Paul was the example for them as we are with those in our lives that look to us to see how we act, how we speak, and how we treat others as a follower of Christ.
What are you focusing on lately? Do you spiral in thoughts that cause you to be anxious?
Are you taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ?
Who can you be an example for in your life?
