What Are You Thinking?
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8, NKJV
It has been said that we think about several things simultaneously. Dwelling on evil thoughts is a danger for all of us. In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul talks about the importance of transforming our thoughts in obedience to Christ. Thoughts are very powerful; so powerful that people will act upon them without considering the validity or consequences of their thoughts. Because of the power of our thoughts and the destructive nature of evil thinking, the Apostle Paul penned those words.
If you find yourself struggling with your thought life, take a moment and ask yourself these questions:
- Am I thinking about things that are true? – Many times we are thinking about things that are not based in reality or they are based in sheer fantasy.
- Am I thinking about things that are noble or honorable?
- Am I thinking about things that are just or righteous?
- Am I thinking about things that are pure? – Jesus spoke about this in Mt. 5:8
- Am I thinking about things that are of good report? – Someone once said “Bad news travels fast”
Ultimately, the standard is set when Paul says if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The word meditate is in the imperative mood, meaning that it is a command and that we do not have a choice.
We all struggle with our thoughts from time to time, we need to make sure that we are dealing with our struggle in a Biblical manner by seeking to appropriate and obey the truth set forth in Scripture. For me personally, I’ve found The Art of Meditation by Joseph Hall a helpful resource.
Terry Lange blogs at From the Unknown
One thing I noticed for myself is that if you watch television you absorb whatever you just watched and often in with come in your head again later. I often think about stop watching the television because of this.