The human mind is incredible. We can go countless places by way of our mind. If we want to, we can let our mind live in the gutter, as they say. Or we can have a critical spirit toward everyone we meet and know, if we want to. With our mind, we can read a good fiction book and become mesmerized by a distant and make-believe place as if it were real. Again, the possibilities are endless.
This is important because the place where our mind resides has bearing upon our quality of life. If our mind lives in a healthy place, for instance, we will live our life in a healthy place. But if our mind lives in unhealthy places such as in negativity and defeat, so will we.
So, what are the things Christians should think on? “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,” Paul writes to the saints at Philippi (Phil. 4:8, KJV).
For some of you who read this post, conscientiously applying this verse to your life can be life-changing. Think about the things that currently dominate your thinking. Are they true? What about just? Are they of good report? Is there any virtue or praise in them? If not, the Lord wants you to change your thinking, and think on these things.
Our mind is courted by this world all day long. So many voices out there are vying for our attention. They come from every conceivable place—radio personalities, cable news networks, social media, friends, family, colleagues, etc. But we don’t have to conform to the thinking of this world. We can occupy our mind with those things that please the Lord. Obeying the words reflected in the verse above will help us to do that.
How We Think on These Things
But Paul’s appeal to “think on these things” was not intended to be merely a mental exercise for us. It’s not enough for us to passively think on these things. God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Hence, thinking that pleases Him must become rooted in our heart. This in turn will be reflected in the way we live.
We can achieve this end only by becoming a practitioner of the Word of God. I’m saying that the more we study the Word of God AND live by it, the more we will think in accordance with Paul’s guidance.
They say attitude determines altitude. Similarly, I believe that changing the way we think has the power to positively change our spiritual altitude. According to the Bible, we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind (see Romans 12:2).
So, down with defeatist, negative and worldly thinking. Let us gravitate toward those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and of virtue. Think on these things, and they will take you to a higher place in your relationship with the Lord.
Copyright © 2023 by Frank King. All rights reserved.