Think About These Things Series

Think About These Things

Phil 4:8

8 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.

The capacity of the human brain is truly amazing. It has 12-14 billion cells. A single cell may be connected with 10,000 neighboring cells, each of which is constantly exchanging data. The brain’s capacity has been compared to 1,000 switchboards each big enough to serve New York City.

In this verse we are told to give careful attention to what we think about. This is because what we think about impacts how we feel and what we do. In verse 9, Paul says “Do what I do.” He puts the emphasis on action. But in verse 8, he puts the emphasis on thinking. The right thinking must precede the right action. Jonathan Edwards said, “The ideas and images in men’s minds are the invisible powers that constantly govern them.”

Jesus taught that all sin begins in our thoughts. The Bible often refers to our thinking as “the heart of man.” In Matthew 7:20-23 (NLT), Jesus said, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” No one commits these outward sins without first thinking about them in their minds.

Let’s think about Philippians 4:8 in light of the context. The theme of the whole book of Philippians is “rejoice in the Lord always.” We find the words “joy, rejoice” or some form of that word over and over. We are to find our joy in Christ, and in the Gospel, not in our circumstances. The key to displaying God’s joy is to have a mindset like Paul is talking about in this verse.

In verses 2, 3, Paul tells two women in the church to agree together in the Lord and to work out their conflict. The reason we have personal conflicts is because we think wrongly. When we are letting the Holy Spirit control our thoughts, we will live in harmony with other believers. If Euodia and Syntyche had been thinking thoughts that were true, honorable, pure, lovely, and commendable, they would not have continued their conflict. They would have reconciled their differences.

In verse 6, Paul tells us not to be anxious (or worried) about anything. Why do we worry? Because we think wrongly. Our minds are not under the control of the Spirit of God. In verse 7, Paul talks about the peace of God. He talks about the God of peace in verse 9. God wants us to have peace, but peace is only ours when we have a mind that is focused on these qualities in verse 8.

Later, in verse 11, Paul is going to talk about learning to be content in every situation in life. Why are we not content? Because we think wrongly. Our thinking is key to living a joy-filled life.

This verse has been used to promote such ideas as the power of positive thinking, the prosperity Gospel, name it and claim it theology, and other false ideas. The Bible never teaches if confess something positively by faith, God is duty bound to give it to us. It never says we must claim our healing and say “I am well.” Then, God will heal us.

This verse is not promoting positive self talk where you tell yourself how good you are and how beautiful you are and how smart you are and how successful you are. And the more good things you say about yourself, the more you will believe it, and the more you believe it, the more it will come true. Our minds cannot create reality. We don’t need any kind of teaching that appeals to our flesh, or promotes self.

This verse is about thinking Biblically. Every one of the characteristics mentioned in verse 8 are true of the Word of God. Essentially, Paul is telling us to think in accordance to God’s Word. Think Biblically.

First, we are told to think on whatever is “true.” The Word of God is the only truth in this world. (John 17:17) The Holy Spirit that lives in us “guides us into all truth.” (John 16:13) Satan, on the other hand, who is the prince of this world, is called “the Father of Lies.” (John 8:44) Satan deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, and he is constantly trying to deceive us with the ideas promoted in this world. (2 Cor. 11:3)

Next, we are told to think on whatever is “honorable.” The Greek word means “honorable or noble or dignified”. The same Greek word is translated as a character quality required in deacons when it says they are to be “dignified.” 1 Tim. 3:8, 11. It is the opposite of “shameful, twisted, or foolish.” We are to think about that which is honorable and noble.