Pastor's Notes

June 2017

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What Are You Thinking?

 

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 

 

Someone said, “We are not what we think we are - What we think, we are”.


In verse 8 Paul calls for thoughts to be centered in things that are worthy of praise. He rejects negative, critical thinking as improper for believers. The scripture clearly teaches the importance of developing positive thought patterns.

 

Consider why our thought patterns are so important to God.

1. What we think determines what we say and do.

2. A thought is the father of every word.

     a. Every word that brings blessings to others

     b. Every word that inspires and encourages

     c. Every word that discourages and destroys

     d. Every word that cultivates hate and hurt

3. A thought is the father of every act.

     a. Every act of kindness and love

     b. Every act of crime and violence

     c. Every lustful and adulterous act

4. No wonder God is interested in the topics we choose to think about.

5. No wonder the psalmist asked the Lord to know his thoughts.

 

 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ~ Psalms 139:23

 

Philippians 4:8 also gives us a benchmark for knowing if our thinking is pleasing to God. Paul summarizes the focus of our thinking if it is pleasing God. He does this by presenting a picture of what the Christian mind should look like. If a Christian is thinking properly, [according to the will of God], their thoughts will be centered in things that are true, honorable, right, pure, and admirable. Our thoughts will be focused on the best in others and on praising God.


Notice the admonition in verse 8, “Fix your thoughts on”. We really have to understand that right thoughts come from hearts that are right with God. Unless we begin in the beginning, we can never be pleasing to God.  We have to start by confessing our wrong thoughts to the Lord and receiving forgiveness.  

 

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. ~ I John 1:9

 

Then we have to choose mental input that produces good thoughts.

 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. ~ Psalms 139:23-24

 

Here are a few questions we need to ask ourselves in order to get on and stay on the right track.     

1. What does my devotional life look like?

2. How much time do I spend taking in the Bible?

3. How much time do I spend in reading Christian books?

4. What does Christ find on my mind today?

5. What will I change, in order to have thoughts pleasing to God?

 

May The Lord use us to bless others as we strive to serve Him!