What’s on Your Mind?

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. (Philippians 4:8)

This verse is used as a proof text by proponents of the false teaching of “positive thinking.” They say, “See it’s right there in the Bible! We should think positively.” Word of Faith teachers say, “Always think positive thoughts, always speak positive words.” Conversely, they teach that we are to never think negative thoughts and never speak negative words because the power in your words will bring about what you dread. This is not true! There is no inherent power in thoughts or words. Be that as it may, our minds and, consequently, our words are greatly affected by the content of the material and information we allow to enter our thoughts. Psalm 119:37 says, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matt. 15:18-19). As believers, our hearts have been changed, and as a result, goodness emanates from our inner being through our tongues. But that does not mean we don’t have to ensure that our minds stay fixed on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Oh, we are so prone to wander! We must “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take EVERY THOUGHT captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5, emphasis added). We are told to “be transformed by the renewal of” our minds (Rom. 12:2). The word of God will permeate our lives if we make an effort to “let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly” (Col. 3:16). We should intentionally focus on that which will turn our minds to praiseworthy things like reading the Word, seeking fellowship with other believers, and having a consistent prayer life. 

We are to be on guard for what enters our hearts and minds. What goes in will come out, and our lives will be defined by what we feed our minds on. “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov. 4:23). — What occupies my time? — What preoccupies my thinking? — What or who do I highly value? — What do I watch on TV? — What movies do I watch? — Am I discerning about participation in social media? — What websites do I frequently visit? — What company do I keep most often? — There are so many inlets for worthless things to enter our minds! Watch out! Be on guard!

Our spiritual progress will greatly benefit as we think on each of these things listed in Philippians 4:8. One commentator writes, “Meditate upon them, resolve them in your minds, seriously consider them, and reason with yourselves about them, in order to put them into practice.” They are not necessarily isolated from each other or in separate categories. The desired effect of this list is cumulative. Our overall thought life should be informed by God’s Word. That way, our minds will dwell on everything that is excellent, good, godly, and honoring to Christ. 

What can we do if our thoughts don’t measure up to these ideals? What if I discover that my priorities are misdirected because I’m just not thinking about right things? What if other things occupy my mind and result in a lack of reading the word, going to church to worship, seeking fellowship, or having a consistent prayer life? Wrong actions are a result of wrong thinking. What if you used to pursue these things, but other things have crowded your mind and pushed these godly habits out of sight and out of mind? How is it that you no longer “set your minds on things above”? How did you get to the point where you are settling your mind “on things that are on earth”? (Col. 3:1). You have left your first love! Remember where you left off, go back, and get started again. The church of Ephesus was given this instruction. “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent” (Rev. 2:4-5). 

So, what’s on your mind? How you answer that will reveal to you what is in your heart. Pay attention to your answer. It may be time to turn away from that which leads you away from praiseworthy things. If your answer conforms to Philippians 4:8, praise God! Continue to delight yourself in whatever is excellent and honoring to our great God!