Thoughts

[StriperAddict]

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, . . . honest, . . . just, . . . pure, . . . lovely, . . . of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

Our lives are surrounded with ungodliness and demands that often bleed away our thoughts until we are worn and weakened. Reflect for a few moments on this inventory of empowering thinking.

• Truth--Literally "that which is not hidden"; Jesus Himself (John 14:6); the Word of God (Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17; "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" Psalm 119:11).

• Honesty--Not just accuracy, but "sober" and "venerable"; sometimes "magnificent" or "great"; used of church officers (I Tim 2:2... "for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
1 Timothy 3:8: "Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain" )

• Justice--Righteous, just, right, suitable; "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom. . . . The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" ("³¹ The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.
³² The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted."Proverbs 10:31-32).

• Purity--Morally and sexually chaste; closely connected with "holiness"; the emphasis is on physical and mental purity ("Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." 1 John 3:2).

• Loveliness--Beauty, friendship, delight, and wonder are all suggested by the "good love" of this word ("Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these "Luke 12:27).

• Good News--This takes discipline, because there is far more bad news than good in this world; we are admonished to take "inventory" (dwell on, recall) the "good reports" ("Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land."Proverbs 25:25).

These excellent and paiseworthy matters should dominate our thinking in a conscious "inventory" of the attributes on this final list. If we do so, God promises His peace in our lives.

From:
Right Thinking
April 19, 2012
Institute for Creation Research

[gordon 2]

BTW, I find this interesting.

[barryl]

Thanks, good info Matt. 4:4