What Are You Thinking?
Have you ever wondered why we do the things that we do sometimes, individually? I mean to say, what exactly is our motivation? Like, what were people thinking when they came up with phrases that make no sense. I mean, who came up with the fact that we drive on a parkway and park in a driveway? These things go through my mind and really make me wonder what people are thinking sometimes. More importantly though, what am I/are you thinking about? In Phil 4:8 we are given a list of things we are to think about. I call this list my THJ PLG Filter. Here’s a breakdown:
True/Honest- Honorable/Reputable- These words literally mean true to fact, conforming to reality, honorable; purveyors of truth.
Just- Righteous- This is a state of being right or of right conduct; this means something is judged whether by the divine standard, or according to human standards, of what is right.
Pure/Lovely- Pure is what is Godly/acceptable; Pure from defilement, not contaminated. Morally clean and undefiled. Lovely is pleasing, agreeable, lovely- to love.
Of Good Report- Commendable/Laudable- This means uttering words or sounds of good omen. Those things that are of a good reputation; That which is highly regarded or thought well of. This refers to that which is generally considered reputable in the world, such as kindness, courtesy, and respect for others.
Thus, in this brief verse, we see how we can commit ourselves to thinking on the things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
St. John Chrysostom (way back in the fourth century) said “If only ten among us be righteous, the ten will become twenty, the twenty fifty, the fifty a hundred, the hundred a thousand, and the thousand will become the entire city. As when ten lamps are kindled, a whole house may easily be filled with light; so it is with the progress of spiritual things. If but ten among us lead a holy life, we shall kindle a fire which shall light up the entire city.
Where are you at today? Are you committed to a life of purity of thought? Are you committed to a life of Righteous, Holy living? Give yourself completely to the Lord and pledge to live a life pleasing to the Lord- denying the flesh and living for Jesus. Want you say like Paul does in 1 Cor 9:27, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
And then in Phil 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Give up your way for His and live a life which brings glory and honor unto Christ, our Great and mighty redeemer. Commit today to thinking that is excellent and worthy of praise.