Philippians

(Warren E. Berkley)

 Phil. 4:8

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.

Your mind has certain permanent components. What you read, see, hear or think is processed by these united components, if you are maturely and objectively processing input.

In the above text, Paul identifies the permanent components of the Christian’s mind. They are …

Whatever is true. My inner character and outward behavior will never be right and pleasing to God, until I make the truth of God my priority. I must absorb the truth and be determined to think it, say it and obey it.

Whatever is honorable is that which is high, lofty and reflecting what God considers honorable. The mind of Christ is seen in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as noble in thought.

Whatever is just. That which fulfills duty (as directed by God) is just. We are children of a just God, thus our thinking, speaking and behavior ought to be just.

Whatever is pure. This means, not contaminated. With the pure Word of God living within us, we are able to entertain pure thoughts, yielding pure speech and behavior.

Whatever is lovely. This is what tends away from hate, toward love and mercy and goodness. Take everything the Bible says about love, put that in your mind and the results can be of the highest value. Love never fails.

Whatever is commendable. If we are not exceedingly careful, we can develop a taste for bad news; an attraction for the lurid, the sensational (but often exaggerated), the gossip of our time. The Internet and Social Media thrive on that which isn’t commendable. If your mind is fixed on what is commendable, you avoid grieving the Lord and creating trouble for yourself and others.

“If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Here’s a good rule to follow. When thoughts, reports, desires and ideas are submitted to you for mental processing – if it cannot be placed well in one of these categories, reject it and plan to avoid it in the future.

Your mind has certain permanent components. What you read, see, hear or think is processed by these united components, if you are maturely and objectively processing input.

Measure the content of your mind by the standard of Philippians 4:8.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).