Not Good Thought – But God Thoughts

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.

Part three of this series is to ‘think the positive’. It’s not so much a glass half full concept – though that’s a great insight too. It’s about transforming the way we think, the way we see others, the way we see ourselves.

PART 1 – Bringing every thought captive – realize the battle going on inside of you. Tear down falsehoods and strongholds … and bring every thought into obedience/alignment with the way Jesus thinks.
PART 2 – Renew your mind – counter the lies and half-truths with the fullness of God’s Word – the whole truth. Claim the promises that will help you overcome the anxieties. It will transform you.
PART 3 – Think the Positive – let’s look at each one in this verse…

Setting the Stage … This verse is right after a verse that encourages us to give our supplications to the Lord, which leads to the peace of God. I believe when we yield our worries, our stress, our anxieties to Him, it opens us up to His peace. And when we have His peace, we can start to see the world through His eyes. This gives way to positive thinking. The thinking on the positive doesn’t bring peace, the peace brings thinking on the positive. So whatever is …

TRUE – Thy Word is Truth. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So it brings us to meditate, dwell on, abide, learn, apply the Truth of God’s Word – the place where the Jesus is revealed. Do we see Biblical application in everything? Do you filter politics, leadership principles, economics, relationships, and employment through a Biblical world view?
HONORABLE – that which is noble, worthy of respect. Interestingly, this word is used to describe the dignified lifestyle expected of deacons and elders.
JUST – some translations use the word ‘right’. So things that align with or or consistent with the Scripture. As a plumb line shows what aligns with gravity, so we are to think of things that align with God’s Word – not straying to the right or to the left.
PURE – that which is holy, free from sin.
LOVELY – think on things that are pleasing and attractive to the Lord.
COMMENDABLE – can you say good things about these thoughts? Can you recommend that book or song or TV show without exception?

These last two are a sort of summery … if there is anything that is
EXCELLENCE and WORTHY OF PRAISE

Instead of the common commercial, “What’s in your wallet?”, maybe we should be asking, “What’s on your mind?”

Now, I realize the difficulty of this list when we live in a world that throws so much garbage around, so much toxicity, and so many mundane things at us. But this is what we are to strive for. And remember, it comes after we pray and give our requests to Him.
This is not an end all to all worries; we will stumble and blow it. But it is some great Biblical strategies in the warfare that goes on on our mind.

May our thoughts be God thoughts.

todd

post script – and just for your information – My wife Lisa fits all these characteristics, so I think about her alot!!!