Think Right: Win the Fight!

As we think about the Philippians 4:8 thinking that God the Spirit desires, may we always remember the verse that follows it: put it into practice! Then what will happen? And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9). 

Let’s think together about the upcoming GEMS theme, Think Right: Win the Fight!

THINK RIGHT: WIN THE FIGHT!

Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.

Philippians 4:8

Rhonda grew up in a small town where everyone knew your name. As a little girl, she would regularly run with her sisters to their elderly neighbors, ring the doorbell, and ask for a happy pill. The couple smiled, put a happy pill in each extended palm, and the girls went on their merry way. It wasn’t until years later Rhonda learned the pills had a name: jellybeans.

Philippians chapter 4, verse 8 has a happy-pill ring to it. You can’t help but smile as you recite the positive words and repeated “whatevers.” That said we must recognize that this isn’t a soft, jellybean truth that you can swallow and go on your merry way. The reality of living out this verse requires wartime living.

There is a continuous battle in our minds between God the Spirit and our sworn enemies: the world, our sinful nature, and the devil. To think thoughts that are pleasing to the Spirit we must concentrate, focus, and ponder on God’s Philippians 4:8 think-about list. Here’s a nutshell definition of each word that we’ll unpack together in the weeks to come.

Truth: Think thoughts that run plumb to what God’s Word says. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17).

Noble: Think thoughts that are worthy of respect and honor. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

Right: Think thoughts that are just and good. He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

Pure: Think thoughts that are blameless and holy. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

Lovely: Think thoughts that are beautiful and pleasing to God. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Admirable: Think thoughts that are wonderful and worthy. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom (Psalm 145:3).

Excellent and Praiseworthy: Think thoughts that God approves of. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

Think on it: This week memorize one or more of these Scripture passages from God’s think about list.

The very fact that Paul is telling us what we should focus on reveals a critical point: We always have a choice. We have a choice. With God’s help, we can control our thoughts.

Tommy Newberry

grace and peace,

Lenae