What are you thinking?
Philippians 4:8 says, "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."
How many times during the day do we find our minds wandering? Whether at work, school, home, or even while in church, our minds tend to always be thinking on something. The danger of this is that the devil is always ready to help plant a thought into our minds. We are sinners, and therefore, we have an impure mind. Paul warns us lovingly in this verse to stand strong against the wrong kind of thinking. He encourages us to think of the things of God. While it may seem that he is repeating himself throughout this verse, let's take a closer look at its meaning:
Whatsoever things are true...Do you know that only about 8% of what we worry about is legitimate! The other 92% never happened, is imagined, or are things we have absolutely no control over.
Whatsoever things are honest...That which deserves worship or reverence. Dignity of Holiness; Serious; Dignified.
Whatsoever things are just...That which is right. Conforming to God's standard. Our duty is to focus our thoughts in a just direction, both toward God and our fellow man.
Whatsoever things are pure...Wholesome. Not mixed with moral impurity; Chase; Spotless; Stainless; Undefiled; No impurities. Free from all moral pollution.
Whatsoever things are lovely...That which does not tear down. Focuses on the things of Christ; on things that are just. Kind and gracious.
Whatsoever things are of good report...That which builds people up. Positive and Constructive.
It will do us all well to "check" our thought life against this Biblical measuring stick. In the end, the goal is to find that which has Virtue ("excellence") and that which is worthy of praise to God.