Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
The Lord gave us a list of things in this verse we are to be thinking about, that we are to ponder, that we are to consider. These are worthy things to think upon. We are to dwell on, consider, to meditate on those things that are true, those things that are honest, those things that are just, those things that are pure, those things that are lovely, and those things that have a good reputation. This is what we are told to dwell on, to think about.
How good are we at this? Do we often find ourselves dwelling on the negative and thinking critically? Do we think on the negative when we need to be thinking on the list of characteristics found in this verse? Do we often think about how someone has mistreated us or how someone has taken us for granted? Do we often think how someone has mischaracterized something we said or did? Instead of thinking on those things, we need to dwell upon the Lord and the list of things given to us in our passage.
We all will, from time to time, let that one thing monopolize our thinking. We end up thinking about “it,” worrying about “it,” or even complaining about “it.” Instead we just need to do what we are told in our passage and not dwell on “it” but dwell on what is true, what is honest, what is just, what is pure, and what is lovely. We need to dwell on these things and give that “it” over to God. Place that “it” into His hands and trust Him with “it.” By turning the “it” over to God, we are practicing real faith in Him.
Let’s put to heart the edifying commands found in this verse and determine to not let any more “todays” go by wasted worrying and fretting about the “it” in our life. Let us instead think on truth, think on honesty, think on His justice, think on His purity, and how we can live to that end. Do not let the mistreatment from others or anything else deter you from thinking of the list of things found in Philippians 4:8. Instead, praise the Lord and thank Him for His tender care. Thank Him today for His many blessings He has bestowed upon you. So, what are you thinking about? Decide today to think on the things mentioned in Philippians 4:8 and not the “it” we are so tempted to dwell on.
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