In the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul gives us an example of holy thinking. Paul’s teaching is that we can, and should, take control over our thought life. If we want to have the peace of God in our lives, we must not allow the accidental flow of our thinking to proceed without contest. Beyond that, we must also measure the intentional flow of our thought against the standard of Scripture and godliness.
In Philippians 4:8-9. Paul says,
“Finally, brethren, 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 and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”
Control our Thinking
Since our lives are corrupted by sin, we should also expect that our ways of thinking need to be examined. We cannot afford to let our minds drift.
Scottish preacher Alexander MacLaren says he expects that,
“There are multitudes who have never realized how responsible they are for the flow of the waves of that great river that is always coming from the depths of their being, and have never asked whether the current is bringing down sand or gold.”
Concerning what we put into our mind, he says:
“You have the cup in your hand, you can either press into it clusters of ripe grapes, and make mellow wine, or you can squeeze into it wormwood and gall and hemlock and poison-berries; and, as you brew, you have to drink.”1,
Building Character
What we think is important because ‘the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.’2 Our heart is filled by our thoughts, and out of that our character is formed.
Again, MacLaren says, “there is not a thought that comes into, and is entertained by a man, or rolled as a sweet morsel under his tongue, but contributes its own little but appreciable something to the making of the man’s character.”
So it is up to us. We have the spirit and power of God to ‘take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.’3
Profitable Thinking
In the Philippians passage noted above, Paul lists characteristics of profitable thinking. I will give the definition, and then examples using the same word which will be underlined:4
- True – conforming to reality or true to fact. John 4:18 “for you have had five husbands; and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.”
- Honorable –usually referring to persons, but here, deeds. 1 Timothy 3:8 “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain.” Sometimes rendered grave or gravity. “the word we want is one in which the sense of gravity and dignity, and of these as inviting reverence, is combined; a word which I fear we may look for long without finding.”5
- Right – any circumstance, fact or deed in accordance with right: Just. Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Colossians 4:1 “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”
- Pure – pure from every fault, immaculate. 1 Peter 3:2 (speaking to wives) “as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.” 1 John 3:3 “And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
- Lovely – acceptable, pleasing, agreeable. From a presumed compound of the Greek pros, “toward,” and phileo, “to love”; friendly towards, i.e. acceptable:—lovely. (No additional example.)
- Good repute – well spoken of, i.e. reputable:—of good report. (No additional example.)
- Any excellence – any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity. 2 Peter 1:5 “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge.” Here, virtue is enjoined as an essential quality in the exercise of faith, RV,6 “(in your faith supply) virtue.”
- Anything worthy of praise – commendation, praise. Used of whatsoever is “praiseworthy.” (No additional example.)
The last two items in the list, “any excellence” and, “anything worthy of praise,” are somewhat different. Some Bible commentators have thought that they either categorize the other terms in the list or that they broaden the scope of the list.
Meditation
Then, the last phrase in the passage instructs us what to do:
“Let your mind dwell on these things.” Dwell on -Literally: ponder these things (to consider, take account, weigh, meditate on)
Instead of pondering and considering unprofitable things or past memories, we are to dwell on holy and excellent thoughts and ideas.
Bible teacher Chuck Smith says, “That pretty well eliminates television, doesn’t it? Because it is having people think on things that are impure, unholy, filthy, unrighteous, immoral, and there [are] other things we need to be thinking on.”
It is not just that we are influenced to some degree, but that we actually are ‘taught’ to consider things a certain way. By consuming the views of this world we learn to think in the ways of the world instead of the ways of God.
Chuck Smith also speaks about the ability to learn and the effects of it. He says, “I learned as a child that I can memorize any poem by reading it over three times before I went to sleep. In the morning I could get up and recite it.”7
Internal and External
So the question is, what do we allow ourselves to dwell on? For each of us, there are both internal and external influences. We have memories that we may need to stop rehearsing. Or, perhaps our self talk is taking us down the wrong path. I recollect Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll saying years ago, “The most important thing you say every day is what you say to your self.” We need to speak truth to our selves!
Then there is the media we consume. Some of the media we choose, and some is forced upon us depending on where we go. Bumper stickers, billboards, and music playing at a restaurant or store are usually not neutral. Also, our media choices can reveal to us our deepest desires that we might not want to admit.
Sometimes while driving or taking a walk I find myself thinking unprofitably. How do I know this? I measure it! I measure my thoughts against the standard of holy thinking as listed in Philippians 4:8.
Wall Building
The following verse from Proverbs describes our plight when we do not take charge of our thought life.
Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.”
In that day, a walled city was for safety and protection from wild beasts and enemies. Walls kept the wild beasts out, and made attack by enemies more difficult.
If we are uncontrolled in our thinking, we are vulnerable to the ‘beasts’ and ‘enemies’ from within and from without. We need the protection provided by the walls we erect for ourselves through controlling our thought life.
Conclusion
Following Paul’s example from Philippians 4:8, we can expect::
- We will learn to recognize that which is profitable to let our minds dwell on;
- We will learn to control our thought life so that we are thinking about good and Godly things; and,
- We will have not just peace, but the God of peace.8
Appendix
Read about another aspect of thinking correctly in the related post Cure for Anxiety.
1 MacLaren’s Expositions
2 Matthew 12:34
3 2 Corinthians 10:5
4 Definitions from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
5 Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament
6 RV = Revised Version
7 https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/c2000_Phl/Phl_003.cfm?a=1107008 6/23
8 Philippians 4:9 “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.” This promise is from the same passage we have been considering. If we follow Paul’s example, we will commune with the God of peace!