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Philippians 4:8 - Biblical CBT.

Philippians 4:8: Biblical CBT.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, 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. 

INTRODUCTION

   The human brain consists of about three pounds of extremely 
soft tissue encased in a protective bony skull. Its estimated 100 
billion neurons along with another 300 to 400 billion support cells are 
constantly active day and night, processing sensory input, making 
calculations, and generating corrective output. From sensors all over the body 
and without you having to think about it, the brain checks your 
blood pressure, blood chemistry, temperature, body positions, and 
thousands of other things to keep you upright and healthy. This data comes 
only to the conscious level when you need to do some important 
corrective action, such as getting the rock out of your shoe or turning the 
heat up. Otherwise, the autopilot portions of your brain leave you 
free to think about other things.  
   We are constantly talking to ourselves, sometimes verbalizing 
our thoughts even when nobody else is around. But most of the time, 
the self-talk just goes on in the mind - no one else hears the 
monologue. Perhaps we might plan what we are going to say to someone, 
rehearsing various lines of conversation to see which one goes best. Or we 
might mentally practice the piano or compliment ourselves on how we 
rocked the interview or how slim we look because our self-discipline is 
working. Sometimes we complain to ourselves about the weather, criticize 
ourselves for the blunder at the office, or fuss about the way we look. 
Both positive and negative self-talk is normal. Positive is good. 
Negative is not. But both too much positive or negative makes us 
unrealistic thinkers. Psychologists tell us that the mental illness of 
grandiosity or narcissism sets in when more than 69 percent of the monologue 
is positive. In contrast, the pathologies of anxiety, depression, 
and panic become evident when less than 31 percent of the self-talk 
is positive.  
   God asks us to discipline our mind. Given total freedom, the 
mind usually spirals into negative thinking far too easily. "Fix 
these words of mine in your hearts and minds" (Deut. 11:18, NIV) is a 
call for mental discipline. The promise of Isaiah 26:3 is sure: "You 
will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because 
they trust in you" (NIV). A steadfast mind is a healthy mind.  
   Lord, thank You for my mind. May I ever use it to honor and 
glorify Your holy name. Teach me the habit of mental discipline through 
trust in You. [God of Wonders by David Steen re 2Pe. 3:1; Ecc. 2:23]  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   What fills your mind in your mental downtime - when your head 
hits the pillow at night, when you wake up in the morning, when your 
thoughts wander while you're driving? Often those mental wanderings will 
reflect your highest priorities or your deepest worries. Unless things 
are going perfectly smoothly in your life, your thoughts will swirl 
with concerns.  
   What if you chose to dwell on the Presence of God within you 
during those times? What if you fixed your mind on Him, His blessings, 
His Kingdom agenda, and the multitude of ways you can enjoy Him at 
any moment? What if you turned those mental adventures into 
relational experiences with Him - not necessarily deep, heavy 
conversations, though those are appropriate at times - but casual conversations 
about His goodness and love? Relationships are enjoyed most when both 
parties share their dreams, talk about common interests, and express 
appreciation for each other's qualities. And though we talk often about 
having a relationship with God, most of us rarely have these kinds of 
conversations with Him. It's often a relationship that doesn't meet the 
criteria for most familiar, loving relationships.  
   Mental wanderings like these may revolutionize our lives and, 
in fact, deal with those concerns more effectively than our 
worrying does. The swirling thoughts and what-ifs that often churn within 
us don't accomplish very much, but a vibrant relationship with God 
certainly does. His Presence in us, when cultivated, probably accomplishes 
much more through indirect influence than we can accomplish directly 
by planning, plotting, and worrying. Our thoughts can weigh us 
down, but communion with Him gives life.  
   Lord, I fix my thoughts on You - on Your goodness, Your love, 
Your Kingdom, Your ways. I choose today to focus not on what seems 
like the highest priority but on what really is my highest priority - 
You. And I trust You to deal with all the things that concern me. 
[The One Year Experiencing Gods Presence Devotional by Chris 
Tiegreen] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

   What do you fill your mind with? The Bible says to fill it 
with what is true, with what is noble, with excellent and 
praiseworthy things. Why? Because you become what you think about. Pastor 
Rick Warren says that whatever gets your attention gets you. Proverbs 
tells us to be careful how we think because our thoughts shape our 
life (Proverbs 4:23).  
   If you fill your mind with true thoughts, you become more 
grounded in reality. If you fill it with noble thoughts, you become 
nobler. You become purer, lovelier, more admirable and excellent and 
praiseworthy in your actions because you tend to act on what you think about 
long enough.  
   The Bible is a good source of true and noble thoughts. 
Meditating on its truths will make your mind and your life richer. 
   Because you tend to do and become what you think about, 
refresh yourself by setting your mind on true, noble, and admirable 
thoughts. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional] 

   Thoughts and attitudes are important because they determine 
what you feel. Thoughts, attitudes, and feelings then determine what 
you do. Some of your thoughts are on the surface of your mind, and 
you're aware of them. But some of your thoughts and attitudes are 
rooted deep down in your heart, and you're seldom consciously aware of 
them. 
      	I'll never change.
      	I've been like this my whole life. I can't do it.
      	I'm too busy.
   When thoughts like these well up from deep inside us, they 
block us from doing the things God wants us to do. 
   What can we do about these thoughts that have been rooted 
inside us for years? We must invite the Holy Spirit to expose them so 
that we're consciously aware of them. Then we can ask, "Is it true?" 
That's a crucial question about any thought that is an obstacle to 
change. Then the Holy Spirit will help us uproot thoughts that aren't 
true. He is eager to help. Ask him. 
   Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the deep-rooted negative 
thoughts that stand in the way of your transformation. [The Daniel Plan 
365-Day Devotional re Eph. 4:23] 

   Ever feel like everything is against you? Or like you are 
stuck in negative thought patterns? One pattern to watch out for is 
over-generalization. This usually involves words like always, never, every time, or 
everyone. These thoughts make a situation out to be worse than it really 
is. 
   For instance, "I have always struggled with health issues; it 
will never change" or "Every time I get stressed, I fall into bad 
patterns." Are these thoughts accurate? Do you know it will never change? 
Do you have to fall into bad patterns every time, without 
exception? Of course not. Overgeneralizations make you believe you have no 
control over your actions and that you are incapable of changing them. 
   If you tend to think in overgeneralizations, write them down 
and challenge them. Then turn your heart to what you know is true: 
the power of the Holy Spirit is within you. 
   God is merciful; he will free you from those old thought 
patterns. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional re Psa. 31:9, 12] 

   One night when I thought everyone was sound asleep, I got up. 
My wife had the same idea at the same time. We ran into each other 
in a completely dark room, and we both yelled. What a surprise for 
both of us!  
   In my recovery, there are times when I would be walking 
through my day, expecting certain things to happen in a certain way and 
- BAM! I was blindsided by something completely unexpected, like a 
temptation or conflict. But I've learned that the only way I can manage 
such times positively is by refocusing my mind on positive truths.  
   In recovery, I learned that if I don't want to act in 
negative ways, I must not think and meditate on negative things. What I 
think will, to a great extent, determine how I feel. And how I feel 
will almost always determine how I respond to life's unexpected 
encounters in the dark.  
   Today, if I find myself entering the "dark zone" because 
something hasn't gone my way, or something unhealthy has crossed my path, 
I can make a good choice. I can choose to refocus my mind on God's 
truths and respond in a way that's pleasing to him.  
   Father, you are so faithful. You always help me to find my 
way, even in the darkness. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery 
Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker re Phi. 4:9] 

   While I was driving on the interstate, traffic came to a 
standstill. I wondered what was causing the holdup. Construction? A wreck? 
Something on the road? For more than twenty miles, I crept along at a 
snail's pace. When I finally reached the trouble spot, I was surprised 
to see that only one car was involved in the wreck, and it didn't 
look very bad. The police, fire, and ambulance were all on the scene, 
so it must have been worse than it looked. The bottom line, though, 
was that one car had backed up traffic for miles.  
   When we ram into a guardrail because we've engaged in a 
dangerous behavior of some kind, the lives of the people who love us are 
also affected. The consequences of our actions spill out onto them. 
If we don't yet care enough about ourselves to make good choices, 
we should do so for their sake.  
   Today, I make the choice to think about things that are pure, 
lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This is a good choice, 
and good choices also affect those who love us and whose lives we 
touch. When we live in relationship, our choices - both good and bad - 
are felt a long way down the road.  
   Father; being in relationship with others is both a serious 
responsibility and an amazing blessing. Help me to always remember that my 
personal choices affect everyone around me. In Jesus' name, Amen. 
[Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker] 

PRAYERFUL APPLICATION

   Meet Me in early morning splendor. I eagerly await you here. 
In the stillness of this holy time with Me, I renew your strength 
and saturate you with Peace. While others turn over for extra sleep 
or anxiously tune in to the latest news, you commune with the 
Creator of the universe. I have awakened in your heart strong desire to 
know Me. This longing originated in Me, though it now burns brightly 
in you.  
   When you seek My Face in response to My Love-call, both of us 
are blessed. This is a deep mystery, designed more for your 
enjoyment than for your understanding. I am not a dour God who discourages 
pleasure. I delight in your enjoyment of everything that is true, noble, 
right, pure, lovely, admirable. Think on these things, and My Light in 
you will shine brighter day by day. (Isa. 40:31; 27:4; Phi. 4:8) 
[Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

ILLUSTRATION

   George was walking along the street in Colorado Springs, 
Colorado, one day on his way to his weekly meeting of the Kiwanis Club. It 
was a glorious fall day. The chill of coming winter was in the air, 
a slight breeze was blowing, and the sun was reluctantly giving up 
the blue sky to encroaching gray clouds.  
   Then George noticed an old man coming toward him from the 
edge of town. He looked as if he had just wandered down from the 
mountains. He was dressed in his Sunday finest, and he was carrying a big 
Bible under his arm.  
   "Hey, Samuel, old friend, what's happening? Where are you 
headed all dressed up fit to kill?"  
   "Oh, hey, George. I've been hearing about New Orleans, and 
I'm thinking of going on down there. I hear there's a lot of 
free-runnin' liquor and a lot of real good-or maybe I should say bad-shows." 
 
   George looked him over and said, "But Samuel, if you're 
really thinking about going to New Orleans for all the bad things 
there, why are you taking your Bible with you?"  
   Samuel looked up with a mischievous grin on his face and 
said, "Well, if it's as good as they say it is, I might just stay over 
until Sunday!"  
   Sunday-only Christianity. It is a malady many folks suffer 
from, isn't it? We like to keep our toes in both worlds, even though 
the Bible cautions us against that. We can overcome this tendency by 
concentrating on "what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and 
lovely, and admirable." Then we can become Sunday-through-Saturday 
Christians. 
   O Lord, help me to concentrate on you and your Word and not 
be pulled away by thinking about foolish things. I love you, Lord. 
Amen. [The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter by Mary 
Hollingsworth] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20111004-1023.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782

Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS

Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/

ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com