"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." - Philippians 4:8
Let's spend the next few minutes considering (2) things in particular regarding this verse:
First, we are instructed to think. "Think" (logizomai) means to reckon, to consider, to compute; to reason to a logical conclusion. Being made in His image, God gave us as humans intelligent minds which are capable of giving consideration and employing logic in order to draw reasonable conclusions. Here, we see that God has instructed us to do just that. We are to think!
How many times have you said something along this line to your children, "Did you not think before you did that?" or "What did you think was going to happen?" Exactly! We've said that a lot. Why? Because we expect our kids put their cognitive abilities to use, to exercise them. And we know that as they exercise them and gain experience, they will grow capable of making better decisions, of reasoning all the way through a subject to come to the correct conclusion.
The same is true in a spiritual sense for us, God's children. He expects us to think. We are to put to use our abilities and our experiences and our knowledge to draw right and proper conclusions about all manner of things such as God, evil, the world, people, etc. He didn't equip us in this way for no reason, but for reasons. Let's not dishonor Him by doing without thinking!
Second, we are instructed to think about certain things in particular. Things that are "excellent" and "worthy of praise". Just prior to this verse (read Philippians 4:1-9), Paul urges the Philippian believers to joy, gentleness and peace as opposed to strife and anxiousness. Here, he instructs them as to how they will have them - by thinking about praiseworthy things!
You see, if we, even God's people, spend our mental power and energy by giving too much consideration to things which are not worthy of praise, then we ought not be surprised when strife and anxiety become our consistent companions. But if we spend our mental power and energy on things that God considers excellent (true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable), then joy, gentleness and peace will accompany our way.
The reality is this, God authorizes His preferred way for us, and He illuminates it by His Word and His Spirit. And the way that God has authorized and does illuminate, He also blesses. All who walk within that way will enjoy His benefits. All who elect to walk in their own way will not. The ways people walk which are not God's way are not blessed but are cursed.
Dear Christian, give your best attention to the things of God. Consume enough media to understand the condition of the world but consume no more. We ought not be ignorant, but neither ought we be inundated. Spend the bulk of your mind on understanding the attributes and character of God and how you might model Him. Spend your mental creativity on how you might serve your spouse, children, church and neighbors in God-pleasing ways. Spend your mental energy on how you might acquire gain for the sake of the Kingdom and then spread out your resources generously to bring glory to God and exalt the name of Jesus in the world! If you will live in this way, God promises you spiritual joy, gentleness and peace, and these things will be yours in spite of circumstances.
For the sake of God's glory and for your own good, Think on These Things!
Pastor Jeremy
