What’s on Your Mind?

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

James Allen in his book, as a man thinketh wrote: The sum of a person’s thoughts are their character. Which means our thoughts have a significant role to play in how we live our lives.

If that is the case, I believe you will agree with me that more attention needs to be given to what is on our minds per time.

No matter how affirming anyone outside of yourself could be towards you - if your thoughts towards yourself are the opposite, you will find it hard to accept what they are saying, instead you will find every way to make your thoughts right instead. You’ll either begin thinking they are insincere or that they have ulterior motives for saying those things to you or about you.

Philippians 4:8 gave us a litmus test on what we should allow in our minds. To put this into practice, I want you to pause for a moment, can you recall what was on your mind before picking up this devotional?

Let’s run that thought through the litmus test:

whatever is true

Is the thought true? Even if it’s a fact, is it the truth? How do you know it is the truth - it must align with the word of God.

whatever is noble

Are the thoughts admirable? Are they things you are not ashamed to voice from the rooftop to the admiration of the hearers? Most smart TVs come with the feature that allows you to cast what you’re watching on your phone on the TV for better viewing experience - now if there’s a way to cast your thoughts onto a giant tv for others to see - will it be admirable.

whatever is right

Right or wrong goes with being just. Ultimately, if God weighs your thought will it find it right before Him?

whatever is pure

If the eyes of God cannot behold impurity - we cannot pretend our thoughts are hidden from Him, so will that thought stand before God?

whatever is lovely

Whatever is praiseworthy.

Whether your thoughts are about you, others, or things, if they do not pass this litmus test, you must discard them as if they were a sin.

Have you heard the saying “I won’t be caught dead in that” - now let me apply it here - don’t be caught thinking it. Instead, catch yourself, discard it and replace it with what is true, what is right, what is noble, what is admirable, what is pure, what is lovely and praiseworthy.

Throughout your day today, pay attention to your thoughts and be intentional about what you allow in your mind. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, pick up a pen and write the opposite that’s true, noble & lovely in your journal.

You must:

“…be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let us pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, we are grateful for your words that’s available to us to help us renew our mind from being desperately wicked to being what is good & pleasing to you. We bring every of our thoughts captive now to the obedience of Christ in Jesus name Amen! Amen!! Amen!!!