“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 –
Praying. The apostle was referring to prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. Prayer includes worship of God. The plea is the sincere presentation of our problems and needs. Thanksgiving is a token of gratitude. Worshipping requires sincere recognition; pleading needs submission; and giving thanks needs humility.
Daniel was an example of praying, worshipping, pleading, and thanking God. Therefore, even in the lion’s den, he was at peace, while the king, still in the palace, could not sleep.
Thinking. Wrong thoughts produce wrong feelings. Only Christ can lead us to think correctly. If we sow a thought, we reap an action. If we sow an action, we harvest a habit. If we soe a habit, we reap a character.
Paul told us what to think about. About all that is true, that is, what originates in Christ. About all that is noble and just, that is, right and worthy of respect. We cannot allow lies or disrespect to control our minds. In everything, keep yourself pure because a pure heart is one that has pure motivations. The action may seem respectable to us, but the motive has to be pure. Being kind is being attractive.
As Christians we must think of the highest and noblest things of Heaven and not the lowest and most corrupt things of this earth. If there is any virtue, if something praisworthy will motivate us to be better, and if it is worthy of admiration, it is advisable for the other.
Acting. There is no way to separate the outside from the inside. Most of the fruits we harvest are the result of the seeds we sow and the plants we cultivate. It is not enough to fill our heads with knowledge; it is essential to practice, do, and act.
In the Greek school of thought, knowing a chair was being able to define the materials it was made of. I know something if I can describe it.
In the Hebrew school of thought, knowing a chair was only possible if we sat in it and our back and body found rest.
An old pamphlet from a secular institution like the UN said:
“Prayer is the manifestation of love. You can change the world
with your prayers and your resulting action.”
May the Lord bless your thoughts today…