Part 2

The peace of God  – continued …

 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8

In my first real “contact” with this verse, I adopted a rather juvenile approach to this. I would separate out of the text “whatever is true,” and I would spend a few minutes thinking about true things. Then I would move on to the next part, “whatever is honorable,” and concentrate on that, etc.  What I missed was – Paul is not giving us a five minute exercise. He is telling us what ought to be the ongoing content of our minds.

These words should describe the ongoing content of my mind, of your mind. If the content of my mind (attitude, thought patterns, perspectives) fall outside of this, I need to wash my mind out; renew my thought patterns according to the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5).

I need to make certain what I allow and what I hold in my mind – is as described in Phil. 4:8. This is a vital component of joyful living and essential to embrace the peace God offers in Christ.

AND, Make this verse your internet and social media filter! The Internet (web, Interweb, social media) has become a streaming discharge of what is toxic, lewd, ill-conceived, hateful, false and

nauseating.

I understand that modern technology can be used for good (hopefully that is happening now as you read). But the challenge is to use digital technology to receive only what is good and dispense the same.

If you dive into social media without the discipline this verse is teaching, when you log off, you’ve torn away some fabric from your character. And you have exposed your self to further decay.

The peace of God through Jesus Christ means – we let heaven guard our hearts and minds, with Phil. 4:8 as our filter.