Philippians 4:8 - Think On These Things.
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.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Gophers live underground in tunnels. They
pull down anything edible - agricultural crops,
backyard vegetable gardens, and landscaping. We have
firsthand knowledge: One gopher has managed to dig a
maze of furrows all through our backyard, though
he hasn't succeeded in getting into our
vegetable boxes, where I've planted bulbs. We have a
thick screen underneath to keep him out.
Gopher holes can destroy a school playing
field, a lawn, a golf course. Gophers helped drive
the Russians out of Fort Ross on the California
coast in the 1840s. Their horses couldn't gallop
over fields pocked by gopher holes without
risking injury to horse and rider. Gophers also
feasted on field crops and gardens. Not a beet left
for borscht.
The gopher reminds me of other things
that pull down what is good under cover of
darkness. Doubts and fears pull down faith. Pride eats
away at humility. Bitterness wears down hope.
Gossip destroys reputations and makes our hearts
hard toward others. Unholy philosophies that deny
the existence of God erode our trust. Traditions
and rules that replace the gospel of Jesus
Christ take away the joy of salvation. All these
things can destroy our peace in Christ, pulling us
away from Him and toward the secular mind-set of
the world around us.
First Thessalonians 5:21-22 tells us to
"hold on to what is good, reject every kind of
evil" (NIV). When we recognize that we're being
influenced by thoughts or attitudes that weaken our
faith, we need to take action to reject what is
wrong. Philippians 4:8 reminds us how to go on the
offensive: by filling our minds with things that are
good and right and holy, excellent and
praiseworthy. And the culmination of all those traits is
Jesus Himself. When we fix our thoughts on Jesus,
on His love and compassion and truth, on His
glorious creation that exhibits His care for us -
then we'll be free from those negative attitudes,
and our faith will grow.
Consider memorizing Philippians 4:8. When
you sense yourself being pulled into bitterness,
gossip, doubt, or other attitudes that weaken your
faith, take a minute to focus on what is good and
right. You'll see your perspective change.
Lord God, thank You that You are holy and
right and true. Please guard me from sins and
attitudes that would pull me away from You. It's easy
to think the way the world thinks, but You ask
us to take on Your perspective instead. Help me
to turn from what is harmful, holding tight to
Your righteousness and Your cleansing
forgiveness. [Earth Psalms by Francine Rivers re
Philippians 4:8, 9]
ILLUSTRATION
I've gone through a season of
discouragement lately. But between mass shootings, the
refugee crisis, friends' problems, and my own
personal issues with finances, marriage, parenting,
and a full-time job, I've had a serious case of
the funk. I take medicine for depression, and
try to get exercise and rest, but for some
reason this funk has been exceptionally hard to
shake.
I'm not alone in this phenomenon. A
student came to my office yesterday and shared the
same feeling. He lost his factory job and came
back to school to better himself for his family.
School is challenging, and so is work and
parenting. And he's got all kinds of disadvantages he
didn't choose. Still, he's working hard.
"Sometimes it just feels like it's not
worth it, you know?" He asked me. "Like I'm taking
a step forward and then two steps back I feel
like I'm trying so hard to be a contributor, to
make a difference, and hardly getting anywhere."
After that conversation I watched the
last movie in The Hunger Games series. Katniss
goes through unspeakable horrors and ends up on a
grassy knoll holding her baby. She tells her baby
that it's hard to keep the darkness from
overcoming her - but she makes a list of all of the
good things, and she dwells on that. It's her
stand against evil. The same principle applies
when we are discouraged. Standing firm in Jesus,
we set our mind on the good, and in Him we will
overcome. by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
Faith Step: Brainstorm all of the good
things you can think of. Post the list. [Mornings
With Jesus 2018 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan re Philippians 4:1, 8]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Its not enough to keep the bad stuff
out. Weve got to let the good stuff in. Its
not enough to keep no list of wrongs. We need to
cultivate a list of blessings. Paul says in
Philippians 4:8, Whatever is true, whatever is
honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is
any excellence, if there is anything worthy of
praise, think about these things.
Thinking conveys the idea of pondering,
studying, and focusing allowing what is viewed to
have an impact on us. You want to make a list?
Then list his mercies. List the times God has
forgiven you. Rather than store up the sour, store up
the sweet! [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at
maxlucado.com]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190612-1147.html
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF
JESUS
1st of 28: Divine Dining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4
4th of 28: Cared For:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds
5th of 28: Saved:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI
6th of 28: You Can Change:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc
8th of 28 Our Holy Father:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY
9th of 28 Gifts of Service:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA
10th of 28 The Holy Spirit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in89XVs4cGo
11th of 28 The Law of God:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Q601HjogI
12th of 28 The Sabbath:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sakgnKoTzZI
13th of 28 The Church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkFw2XsTW-w
14th of 28 The Gift of Prophecy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiO2VC09NPI
15th of 28 Stewardship:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z_lNLAataw
16th of 28 Marriage and the Family:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EybxvMQ0K7E
Live ongoing series in progress.
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
