WHAT ARE WE FILLING OUR MINDS WITH?

WHAT ARE WE FILLING OUR MINDS WITH?

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.
( Philippians 4:8 KJV )

In this Scripture Paul gives us an outline on what we should be filling our minds with. Even in the days of the early church they we having to deal with, “stinking thinking.”

The first thing Paul list here is; “Whatsoever is true.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (2 Tim. 4:3-4 NAS )

Jesus ask The Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” ( John 17:17)

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." ( John 8:31-32 )

The truth is so important for us, for we are in a world where the father of lies seeks to lead us astray by getting us to believe lies about God, others, and ourselves.

"You are of your father the Devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 )

The Holy Spirit is called the, “Spirit of Truth,” He is our guide into all the wonderful trues that will lead us in the opposite direction that the Devil's deceptions would seek to lead us into
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John 16:13 says, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”
We are to focus on what is true rather than on what is not.

The second thing Paul list is; “whatsoever things are honest,”(honorable, noble)
Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble. ( Romans 12:17 GWT )

To become a person who is honest, honorable, and noble in our thinking, we will have to focus on good things. This is never easy as we find ourselves being pulled into thinking that is unfitting for some one who is suppose to have a sanctified (set apart) mind.

We need to ask ourselves if it is very noble or honorable of us to view certain videos, TV programs, Internet sites, or listen to certain radio programs.

The third thing mentioned is; “whatsoever things are just.”(innocent, holy, righteous)
so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, (Phil. 2:15 NAS)

For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. ( Romans 16:19 )

I remember back in the 1980s, there was a real push in deliverance ministry in many churches. There were all kinds of books, seminars, and information about the demonic realm.
This created many problems for a lot of well meaning Christians. I am not saying that we should be ignorant of the enemies devices, but to allow our minds to be filled with all this kind of dark stuff, will only rob us of an innocence.
We are Dependant upon God, and our focus should always remain upon him. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

The forth thing mentioned is; “ things are pure,” (chaste, clean, )
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. (Titus 1:15 )

Remember we are talking about what s filling our minds.
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. ( 2 Corr. 11:3)

To keep our minds pure and clean is not an easy job. Thank god we have the Word and the Spirit to help us to keep our minds pure.
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, ( Titus 3:5 )

The fifth mentioned is; whatsoever things are lovely( Acceptable )

How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! ( Psalm 84:1b )

How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" ( Isaiah 52:7 )

There are many lovely things we can fill our minds with, including music art, and God's lovely creation.

The sixth thing we can fill our mind with is; “whatsoever things are of good report.” (praiseworthy, commendable )

“Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.” ( Proverbs 25:25 )
“Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.” ( Proverbs 15:30 )

When we spend our time filling our minds with negative things, it will have a profound affect our moods creating anxiety and depression in our lives. This does not mean we should not keep up on the news, but we can't allow negative reports continually fill our thoughts.

The seventh thing can fill our mind with is, “if there be any virtue. ( excellent )

How precious (excellent ) is Your loving kindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. ( Psalm 36:7)

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ( 1 Peter 2:9 )

Excellent things, virtuous things, theses are the things that we should be filling our minds with.

The eighth thing we should be filling our minds with; “if there be any praise” (a commendable thing)

Thinking about the great things that God has done in our lives or in the lives of others, thinking about the wonderful creation and the way God keeps everything maintained in perfect working order. Thinking about things that generate praise in our hearts, this kind of thinking will lead us on a path of optimism.
One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. ( Psalm 145:4 )

Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. ( Psalm 150:2 )

Conclusion
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.
( Philippians 4:8 KJV )