July 21
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
Paul in this wonderful fourth chapter of Philippians gives us some amazing teaching and commands directly related to this topic of replacing fleshly thoughts with spiritual thoughts. First, he says in verse 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!” We will discuss this important principle separately in a few days. Next he tells us to let our forbearing spirit be known to all men and then reminds us that the Lord is near; we really don’t have all that much time in which to bring Him glory and do His work; judgment will soon be upon us. Then in verses six and seven he tells us not to be anxious about anything but to pray about it, giving thanks while we pray. We discussed the importance of prayer in Resist Principle 8.
Then in verse eight Paul tells us to let our minds dwell on the following kinds of things:
- whatever is true
- whatever is honorable
- whatever is right
- whatever is pure
- whatever is lovely
- whatever is of good repute
- if there is any excellence
- if there is anything worthy of praise
Focusing on what is true and right will dispel all the lies, exaggerations, distortions, blowing things out of proportion, presuming things about others that we don’t know, and one-sided half-truths that we are so prone to tell ourselves. Just learning to recognize and reject falsehoods and only keep in our minds things that are true and right will go a long, long way toward replacing fleshly thoughts with spiritual thoughts.
Focusing on what is pure and of good repute will displace all immoral and adulterous lusts and desires. When we think of another person, do we think of them in the best light, wanting only that they come to know and grow in Christ and love Him above all else? If so, this will displace evil, self-centered lustful thoughts.
Focusing on what is honorable, lovely, and excellent about other people will dispel any anger or bitterness or envy we might feel toward them. How can we be resentful when we acknowledge and dwell on all their good qualities?
And focusing on anything worthy of praise will force us out of our negative, depressing funk and get us fixed on the glass half full rather than half empty. Focusing on things worthy of praise will help us see all the good and all that we have to be thankful for.
Paul’s exhortation in this one verse contains all we need to overcome sinful thoughts and temptations. Add to that verse nine where Paul exhorts them to practice the good qualities they saw in him, and we have a sure recipe for replacing fleshly thoughts with spiritual thoughts.