Think on These Things

Philippians 4:8 ~ "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."

​There is a myriad of ideas that roam around our minds. Stray thoughts become contemplations and then turn into considerations and eventually might even grow up into an obsession. The question is: what do you put into your mind? News feeds, social media, gossip, and a host of other voices will try to worm their way into your minds. In a world flooded with a continuous stream of information, it is a battle to keep your mind fixed on that which is of real value. 

For some, there is a tremendous danger of falling into a pattern of thought that is highly destructive. Obsessions, mental addictions, and the victimhood mentality are just a few of the damaging considerations that drag us into darker holes of our imagination and render us insecure and unstable in our mind. Consider what is says in Proverbs 4:23, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

There becomes a telling reality for those who do not keep their hearts with all vigilance, for they become challenged by many conflicts in their thinking and their lives begin to reflect their hearts. Let me ask, do you struggle with the anxiety that ensnares your mind and yet see others that navigate through life within a state of joyful communion with the Lord? Maybe you've decided that they have never struggled, or were never burdened with the considerations that drag you down.

But, beloved, could it be that those who walk in the joy of the Lord have found what it means to "think on these things?" Consider our text today and look at the focus that the Apostle Paul has instructed for all believers. If your mind was set upon that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise, how much of that which causes the darkness of our thinking would be dispelled by the True Light--our Savior? For in each one of those considerations is the Lord.

Jesus is all of these things! He is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. 

You may wonder how the Light can penetrate your darkness. For you cannot see the Lord in the circumstances wherein you live. If you will, let me reveal a few rays of sunshine from God's word.

Are you born again? Have you been redeemed by the Savior? Then you have your sins forgiven on account of His name (see 1 John 2:12). This is the brightest light to shine upon your soul, for if your sins are forgiven in Christ, then you will be forever with the Lord. 

Do you think you're alone and the darkness of isolation causes anxious thoughts? Then hear our Lord tell you, believer, that He has never forsaken you. John 14:23 reveals, "Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'" Again, Jesus says in Matthew 28:20, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." 

Are your circumstances sorely troubling? Have you not read in Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Let that light shine down on you when you're tested and tried in the struggles of life.

Do you doubt your salvation? You believe, but there are times of uncertainty that creep into your mind? Hear what John says in 1 John 5:13, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." In the pages of God's word is the constant reminder to those who believe that the Lord has secured them for eternity.

Do you feel powerless? He has promised His power. Do you need wisdom? He has offered it freely. Are you needing grace? He supplies it in abundance. Is there a sin? Confess and find His cleansing. My friends, do you see how much God has given you?

So, dear ones, think on these things. In every place where there is darkness in your life, Jesus is the Light. You will find Him to be the most excellent contemplation of your mind. 

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

---