Monday, April 30, 2012

“Think On These Things”


    Our spiritual enemies seek to capture the attention of our minds, diverting and distracting us to matters of little consequence at best, or of destructive consequence at worst.

     God’s remedy for this temptation involves the proactive determination to set the sails of our thinking whereby the wind of the Spirit leads us in peace and blessedness.

     “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).

    The Apostle Paul commands that we make conscious choices regarding the content of our minds.  Relationship with God requires an active mind wherein we consistently determine to replace untrue thought patterns and notions that pop into our heads with things “true… honest…just… pure… lovely… of good report…virtuous… praiseworthy.”  Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must recognize this vital calling to put off carnal and devilish thinking by putting on the thoughts of God, as revealed in His Word.  “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

    Believers do not have to be brilliant, nor must we be intellectuals in order to walk with God.  Thinking, however, is required.  We must also prepare ourselves to think rightly by exposing ourselves to “the lamp” and “the light.”  What has God said in His Word about the matters that approach and enter into our minds?  How and whether we ask this question determines the peace of our hearts.  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3).  More importantly, a life of consistent faith and obedience largely hinges on whether we know what God has said in order that we might replace the dark and destructive musings of the world, the devil and the flesh.  Only thereby do we possess the means to “think on these things,” and thus rest in the “perfect peace” of a mind “stayed on Thee.”

The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.”
(Proverbs 12:5)

No comments: