Think on These Things Part 1
Think on These Things part 1
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; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8 KJV
If you’ve been following any of my blog posts for the past several weeks you would have seen that I am a firm believer in biblical affirmations and that I posted a self talk challenge last week. If you missed the challenge post, it’s here:
http://www.cherylcope.com/self-talk-challenge/
The Bible is pretty clear that what we think about is really important to God. He equates thinking about something to actually doing it in several places. For example, lusting after someone in your heart is equal in God’s eyes to actually committing adultery with that person. (See Matt. 5:28.)
What we say comes from what we’ve been thinking (what’s in our hearts). So a good clue to what we are thinking is to listen to what we are saying. Also, as I have said before, what we say has more power in the spirit realm—power to create. All the more reason to watch what we think and what we say. The two are intimately connected anyway—both ways—what we think we say and what we say we think.
Let’s explore the meanings (definitions) of the words used in this passage of scripture to better understand what it is we are supposed to be thinking about. After all, we can’t be exactly meditating on scripture itself every waking moment. (We have to use our brains to make decisions, to make calculations, to imagine new solutions etc.)
Think on Things that are True
Based on the definition of true, then we should think (and speak) on things that are conformable to fact, that are in accordance with the actual state of things, that are genuine, that are pure, that are real, that are not counterfeit. I think it’s very helpful to look at the opposite of words, too.
So we are not to think (or speak ) on things that are false—that are not conformable to fact, that express what is contrary to that which exists, is done, said, or thought, that are counterfeit, that are not genuine or real, that are hypocritical or feigned.
Think on Things that are Honest
In the Greek, this word means venerable so we will look at the meanings of both words. We should think on things that are honest, that are upright, that are just, that are fair in dealing with others, that are free from trickishness and fraud, that are equitable, that are sincere. We should think on things that are venerable, that are deserving of honor and respect.
So we are not to think about things that are dishonest, that are fraudulent, that are void of integrity, that proceed from fraud. We should not think about things that are unvenerable, that are not worthy of respect or honor.
Think on Things that are Just
We are to think (and speak) on things that are just, that are upright, that are honest, that are conformed to truth, that are proper, that are righteous, that are impartial. We are to think (and speak) on things that are equitable (meaning of the word here in Greek), that are equal in regard to the rights of persons, that are about distributing equal justice, that are impartial.
We are not to think (or speak) about things that are unjust or that are inequitable, that are not just, that are not equitable, that are contrary to justice and right, that are wrongful.
No one has perfect thoughts and speech all day long every day. But it is certainly worth striving for. Let us humble ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to help us to think on these things.
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