HOW IMPORTANT IS THINKING?

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

For the next two weeks I want us to consider what the Lord has to say about the use of our mind. I’m afraid that early in my life I didn’t apply myself to the potential the mind has, and if I did, I was guilty of programming it with useless information. Let’s consider what God has to say.

One of the most interesting things in the entire world is something that weighs only about 1.5 kg – the human brain. I’m told that this small creation of God has a computing power greater than that of the 100 largest computers that have ever been invented. I’m amazed about these facts but the most incredible thing about the human brain is that it can think the things of God. I Corinthians 2:16 Paul writes “For who hath known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Think about it! We can know the mind of God!

The human mind is very powerful. If our mind believes something and desires to obtain it, then our affections will automatically follow. That could be scary because original sin started as a thought. But, on the other hand, when guided by the Word of God the individual can know the will of God for his or her life.

Someone has said the battles of life are won or lost in the mind. I have learned that’s why Satan concentrates his attack at tge mind. Satan know that our brain is like a sponge soaking up information around us. Dr. Tim LaHaye wrote a book entitled “The Battle For Your Mind.” He reminds that there is a battle that rages for our mind (thought life). If he wins the battle, Satan controls our life.

Of course, God knows this and has given us instruction about the use of that mind.

PAUL GIVES INSTRUCTION

Notice verse 8 again “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; (notice this last part) if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

The word “if” is not a word of uncertainty. Paul's not saying that he's not sure about these things. You could interject the word "since" or "because." - since or because there is virtue and since or because there is praise, think on these things.

The Word of God has a lot to say about our thought life. Even the Psalmist wrote about it. Notice Psalm 119:78 "Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts." He was going to meditate on that which was important - the Word of God.

What does Paul say we’re to think upon:

1. We’re To Have Proper Thoughts

The word “virtuous” means “excellent”. A question we must ask ourselves is what we’re thinking excellent? Does the TV, radio, movie or conversation with family and friends cause us to think excellent thoughts?

The word “praise” carries the meaning of “praiseworthy’. Is what I’m thinking praiseworthy or condemning?

In both of these words Paul is describing a proper thought life. As a child of God we should desire a proper thought life. In fact, we ought to develop a proper thought life. That’s what the Apostle Paul is exhorting us in this verse.

This is why the Psalmist wrote in 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

2. We’re To Have Practical Thoughts

Look at the last part of verse 8 "whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

The word “think” means “to give careful reflection.” This word has the idea of calculation. Paul is trying to get across to us that the thoughts of the believer should be thoughts that are careful and logical.

In other parts of the Word of God the word “think” is translated “account, reckon, reason and conclude.” The idea behind the word "think" is taking account of things with the view of committing ourself to it once we've considered it. When we consider what Paul is saying here, the child of God will turn what we think about into practical deeds and actions. That means our thinking must be proper and practical.

I am not a farmer. I don’t pretend or even desire to be one, but I do know that when the farmer goes out to raise his crops, he sows to reap. If he wants to harvest a good crop, he has to sow good seed. That's what it is in the life of us believers. What we think about will end up being put into shoe leather. We will end up acting as we think. The wise man Solomon wrote in Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: . . .” So our thinking must be right.

This thought will be continued next week!

That’s my view; how about you.