HOW ARE YOU THINKING?
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul is driving home the truth of importance of having peace in our lives. He has instructed the Philippians and us, about the importance of prayer and praise as a tool for allowing God’s peace to guard our emotions and thoughts. Now he takes us another step towards living in peace by telling us to take an active role to “fix your thoughts.”
This is Paul’s “final thing.” He wants us to know how important it is to have our thoughts fixed on the right kind of thinking. He gives six items that are objects of a wholesome thought life.
First, what is “true.” The emphasis here is on what is honest and reliable. Then there is “honorable” This refers to that which is dignified and worthy of respect. Then we have “right.” This is referring to what is in conformity to God’s standards.
“Prue” would refer to what is wholesome, not mixed with moral impurity. “Lovely” speaks of what promotes peace rather than conflict. And then he concludes with “admirable.” This relates to what is positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive.
Paul concludes that these six characteristics are “excellent and worthy of praise.”
This is quite a list. It would be well for us to occasionally give ourselves a checkup from the neck up and see how we are doing with our thinking. Are we fixing our thoughts on the right things? Do we allow our thoughts to wander into areas that are unhealthy and harmful?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to keep my thoughts in alignment with Your will. Help me focus on the right-thinking patterns.
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