Proper Thinking

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

To meditate is to dwell on anything in thought. Meditation seems to have been a lost practice among believers today. This could be due (in part) to the increase of mystic religions within America which tends to give us the picture of someone with their legs crossed and palms upward. This loss could also be due to the busyness of life.

Who has time to think? Most of us struggle to have time with family, reading the Bible, prayer, etc. And here I am saying that we should meditate!!!

Please understand that I can sympathize with your schedule. I'm a husband, a father, and a pastor. Our lives are as busy as the next family. However, one of the great attributes of the Christian faith is that we don't always have to settle in somewhere, block off time, and ensure that nothing stops us when it comes to prayer and meditation. In fact, many believers have found that prayer and meditation work well in the car (please keep your eyes open for this!). This is especially true if you have any length of drive to work. You get in, turn off the radio, and begin talking to God and dwelling on Him.

Meditation is a great practice after reading the Word, hearing a sermon, or after an extended time of prayer. It's great to allow God's Word to revolve around your mind - to seriously consider what you have read - to reason within yourself about these things - in order to put them into practice.

The danger in life is to be like the man who looked in the mirror only to walk away and forget what he looks like. But that does not have to be you! When you take the time to meditate upon what God has just spoken to you through His Word, it will produce tremendous benefits. In meditation you may ask the questions: How does this apply to my life? How can I "flesh" these things out? How do I begin to be what these verses state?

In Paul's letter to the church, he found it necessary to leave them with this final thought. "Finally..." After saying all that he felt led to share - after giving doctrinal insight - he says here's what you need to do. You need to meditate on these things:

TRUE things
NOBLE things
JUST things
PURE things
LOVELY things
GOOD things
VIRTUOUS things
PRAISEWORTHY things

I think that it is interesting that all these "things" are in direct contradiction to what the world would have us to think upon. Our society is filled with imagery. It's hard to get things out of our mind. And far too often instead of thinking upon the things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy; our minds are consumed with lies, indecencies, corruption, impurity, ugliness, evil, viciousness, and things that drag us down. Oh, how our lives would be different if we would think upon those things that God has ordained!

This isn't the power of "positive thinking". This is the power of PROPER THINKING! This is when you and I choose to get rid of the "stinking thinking" that tends to dominate us. We make the choice to think about things in faith. We choose to dwell upon the things of God. As we think about these things, God uses the opportunity to shape our hearts, our minds, and our conduct. The things we think upon affect our actions and reactions. If we will think about God things we will naturally respond as God wants us to respond. Meditate on these things.

I pray that the Lord will fill your mind with the Truth of His Word. May you think upon Noble things. I pray that Justice and Purity prevail in your thought life. And I trust that the Lovely things of God will fill your mind throughout the day. May you be focused upon the things of Good Report, Virtue, and things that bring Praise to God.

Meditate on these things.