Dwell on These Things
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
(Philippians 4:8)
In the little letter Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi, he didn’t mince words when it came to attitudes. Although a fairly peaceful and happy flock, the Philippians had a few personality skirmishes that could have derailed them and hindered their momentum. Knowing how counterproductive that would be, he came right to the point: their attitudes. “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:1–2).
What does all this mean? Well, let’s go back and take a look. There is encouragement in the Person of Christ. There is love. There is also plenty of “fellowship of the Spirit” for the Christian to enjoy. Likewise, affection and compassion. Heaven is full and running over with these things even though earth is pretty barren at times. So Paul pleads for us to tap into that positive, encouraging storehouse. How? By “being of the same mind.” He’s telling us to take charge of our own minds, clearly a command. We Christians have the God-given ability to put our minds on those things that build up, strengthen, encourage, and help ourselves and others. “Do that!” commands the Lord.
Since our choice of attitude is so important, our minds need fuel to feed on. Philippians 4:8 gives us a good place to start: “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.”
Good advice. “Let your mind dwell on these things.” Fix your attention on these six specifics in life. Not unreal far-fetched dreams, but things that are true, real, and valid. Not cheap, flippant, superficial stuff, but things that are honorable; i.e., worthy of respect. Not things that are wrong or unjust, critical and negative, but that which is right. Not thoughts that are carnal, smutty, and obscene, but that which is pure and wholesome. Not things that prompt arguments and defense in others, but those that are lovely, agreeable, attractive, winsome. Finally, not slander, gossip, and put-downs, but information of good report, the kind that builds up and causes grace to flow.
Do you do this? Is this the food you serve your mind? The choice is yours.
