Waist Deep 2018 - November 12

Philippians 4: 8 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. (NIV)

We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals.*

For those of us who have been Christians a long time, the mind is the “final frontier”. You could follow me around most days and conclude that I am in compliance with nine out of the ten commandments. But obeying the “letter of the law” has never been enough for God. In the Old Testament and the New, we learn that he wants our hearts and our minds, not just outward obedience.

When I read this verse, I find myself humming, “These are a few of my favorite things . . .” In that song, it says, “I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.” Same concept. Paul is offering us the secret formula for mental health. The recipe for a pure thought-life. The how-to manual for a disciplined mind. The answer to the question, “I’m obeying, now what else do you want me to do?”

 

As always, we are not told “what not to do” and then left with a void for Satan to fill. Paul says to think about what is true in place of what is dishonest and unreliable. Noble thoughts replace those that are undignified and unworthy of respect. Right, conforming to God’s standards, takes the place of wrong.  Pure thoughts replace unwholesome ones. Thinking about what is lovely promotes peace rather than conflict. And admirable thoughts replace negative and destructive ones.*

“Garbage in, garbage out” is as true of our minds as it is of our computers. As one commentator expresses it: “Each of us has only so much mental space. What is filled with frivolity, foolishness, and filth cannot be filled with goodness and godliness.”*

Inward peace is not preserved by feeding the thoughts upon the unwholesome.*