How Are Your Thoughts?

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

This is one of those verse that I memorized so long ago, and when I did memorize it, it was in the King James version, so I'll put that one here also- it is a little different than the above translation.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Either way though, it mentions eight things that we should think on. Eight "characters" of thought. We can use these eight characters as our thought gatekeepers. As we go about our day we can use these gatekeepers as our moral guidelines. All day long, our brains our taking in information. And there are several questions we can ask ourselves about all the little bits that come in.

First of all, is what we've just learned true? God IS truth, and we can use him to help us measure up with the truthfulness of what we've heard, seen, or are thinking.

Is what we are thinking honorable? Are you thinking impure thoughts, or are you having a not-so-nice internal dialogue about a specific person?

Is what we are about to do right or just? Are we about to do something out of spite or because that person isn't our favorite person right now? What are our motives?

As we sit and watch a movie or a TV show- is this movie pure and lovely? What impure thoughts will it place in my mind? Will it inspire me to take action on something good?

Are our conversations admirable? Or are we gossiping? Do we ask someone how they are doing just to feed the gossip mill? Or is it out of genuine concern for their well-being.

And finally- are our thoughts or actions excellent or worthy of praise? Are we thinking about helping that neighbor who is struggling, or are we sitting back, watching them struggle, and inwardly laughing at their struggles?

As Christians and followers of Christ, our thoughts and actions should be above the world's thoughts and actions. Yet so often that is not the case. we can use Philippians 4:8 as a tool to help ourselves be better people. We can use it to help us become more Christ-like and be an example to those around us. And most importantly. we can use it to seek out God's approval. If God's approval is our goal, than we would all do well to "think on these things."