Pr. Joshua Yong

Whatsoever Things Are Pure, Whatsoever Things are Lovely.

Philippians 4:8 – “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.”

The ability to think is a wonderful gift the Lord has given to us. For some however, they use their minds to entertain sin such as allowing their minds to dwell upon worldly things. There are those whose minds are often given to wandering thoughts which lead to great anxiety and care. A mind filled with such worrying and sinful thoughts is displeasing unto the Lord. Yet for others, they seldom give themselves to deliberate thoughts. They do not utilise this mental faculty and gift which God has given to them. To think through something carefully requires energy, effort and time but it is an exercise that every Christian is called unto.

The Bible calls upon us to “think on these things.” To “think” is to “take an inventory of,” “to take an account of something.” We must not think about things sinful, worldly or worrying; yet to not think is also not an option. What then should we think upon?

This week the two things we want to consider are pure and lovely thoughts.

Whatsoever Things are Pure

This virtue of purity which we are exhorted to think upon follows from the previous virtue of “just”. If we dwell upon that which is righteous the logical progression is also to dwell upon that which is pure. Purity and righteousness are closely related words.

“Pure” describes those things which are “holy” and “clean”. This word describes that which is “chaste”. It describes moral purity or moral uprightness.

The unregenerate man is predisposed to evil, sinful, unholy and unrighteous thoughts. Much thought is given to the invention of wickedness and sin. The Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 7:21-23 describes those sinful and immoral thoughts which come from within – “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” These were thoughts which, when we were unbelievers always filled our hearts and minds. Just look at some of these things which are described here. Do we not see it manifested in the world today? How often is pride seen in boastings and arrogance? Have we not witnessed the deceitfulness and cunning manipulations of man? Is not the entertainment of the world filled with adultery, covetousness and blasphemy? Such are the thoughts of the unregenerate man.

Do you wonder then how can a person really guard his mind from the impurity of this world?

a) Made Pure in Christ
For the unregenerate, their minds can never be rid of such impure thoughts for the unregenerate mind is still under the power of sin. As for the Christian, however, the Bible tells us that he is a new creature; he is a regenerated man. His mind is no longer under the power of sin.

The Bible declares in 1 Cor 6:11 that in the past, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

The Christian is declared to be in a new position in Christ i.e. he is one who is sanctified. This truth is most precious, for we are declared to be pure in Christ. This does not describe sinless perfection in mortal flesh, but it describes the new found position we have in Christ in spiritual walk. What this also assures us of is that our minds are no longer under the power of sin.

A Christian’s mind then should no longer be filled with impure or unclean thoughts but with pure and holy thoughts. As Christians, we still struggle  against impure thoughts  as born again believers. While we are still in the flesh, these things do trouble us. Though we are not yet made sinlessly perfect while on earth, but we are no longer under the power of these things. By virtue of our position in Christ, we can strive to think holy thoughts.

b) The Word of God Purifies
Practically speaking, how can we think pure thoughts? How can we fill our minds with things pure that we may think upon those things?

The Bible speaks of a renewing of the mind (Rom 12:2), but what renews our minds? In John 17:17, the Lord Jesus Christ prayed unto the Father, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” It is the Word of God that sanctifies us, and that also means that it is the Word of God which can sanctify our minds. It is the Word of God that can fill our minds with things pure to think upon. Psalm 19:8 declares the Word of God to be pure, thus enlightening the eyes. The renewal of our mind is through the Word of God.

To think upon things which are pure  must mean to think upon God’s Word. It is not just the reading of God’s Word, but it is also to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. Do we fill our minds with the truth of God’s Word, and do we  meditate upon these truths constantly? We can think upon what the Bible tells us of the attributes of God. Dwell upon the holiness and righteousness of God. At the same time not only do we remind ourselves of the justice of God, but also to find comfort in the mercy and grace of God. To think pure thoughts is to think upon God’s Word.

c) Pure in Thoughts Towards Others
There is an aspect where this thinking of pure thoughts involves what we think concerning others. The Bible in the book of James, describes this purity of thought in relation to others. Impure thoughts towards our fellow man lead to strife and envy (James 3:15-4:1). It leads to confusion in every work; it leads to war and fightings. In dealing with people, it is the impure motives, hidden agendas, and cunning manipulations that lead to great conflict and strife. Are you often suspicious of people? When it comes to dealing with people, do you always feel like you are playing a game of chess where you have to outsmart and outwit everyone? Do you use the same cunning methods of the world to stay ahead? Yet, the Bible says that “...the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).

It is pure thoughts, without envy and hidden motives that bring about a peaceful dealing with people. Our thoughts must be pure before God before our thoughts towards our fellow man can be pure. But when our thoughts before God are pure, then our dealings with fellow men can be in sincerity and purity of thoughts. This is the mind of a born again believer.

Whatsoever Things are Lovely

This next thought continues from the previous thought. When one’s heart is pure, naturally his mind would also be filled with that which is “lovely”.

This word “lovely” is a unique word that is used only once in the New Testament. The Greek dictionary BDAG defines it as describing something which is “pleasing, agreeable, lovely, amiable.” That which is lovely then describes that which is pleasant and delightful. What are those things which are pleasant and delightful to the believer’s heart? The Bible describes some things which are considered lovely and we ought to think upon these things.

a) The Worship of God
The first thing which should be pleasant and delightful to the believer must be the worship of God. David says in Psa. 84:1, 2 – “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.” The word “amiable” describes that which is lovely. The psalmist expressed how lovely the tabernacle of the Lord was to him. The tabernacle of the Lord was his delight; it was pleasant to him. Of course it was not the physical structure of the tabernacle itself that was pleasant to the psalmist. He went on to explain that his heart and flesh cried out for the living God. The tabernacle of David then was a manifestation of the glory of God. While the psalmist sang of the tabernacle of the Lord, he was really praising and worshipping his God. The believer’s delight then must be in his God. He must find the worship of God a most delightful and pleasant thing.

To think upon that which is lovely, we must therefore include the thinking upon the glory of God, and the filling of our thoughts with the praise and worship of God. Does your mind dwell upon thoughts unto the worship of God? Do you fill your thoughts with thankfulness unto your God?

b) The Word of God
Thinking upon that which is lovely includes the thinking upon God’s Word.
The psalmist expresses in Psalm 119:97,“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” The Word of God is most delightful to the believer’s ear. He longs to hear the words of his Heavenly Father. Is it not lovely, when the Word of God is a balm to every weary soul; when it rebukes and corrects and saves us from the path of destruction; when it directs us in the paths of holiness and purity?. Does not the Word of God lift up and encourage, challenge and remind?

Some find great thrill and excitement in the novels and poems of man. Should not our hearts find greater thrill when we read of the stories of Jesus and in meditating upon the poetry inspired of God? The Word of God pertains to divine and heavenly things. Let it be then that which is pleasant to your soul.

c) The Lord Jesus Christ
Thinking upon lovely things is to think upon Christ who is our delight and our joy. In the transfiguration, God the Father declared the Lord Jesus Christ to be His beloved Son (Matt 17:5). If the Lord Jesus Christ is beloved of the Father, should He not be our delight and beloved unto as well? Three times the Lord Jesus Christ asked Peter if Peter loved Christ more than his nets, boats and everything and everyone else that he was occupied with. Peter responded with a declaration of his love and devotion unto the Lord. These questions should be asked unto us as well. Do you find your delight in the Lord Jesus Christ? Or are you looking for something else apart from Christ to be your satisfaction, your pleasure and delight? The name of the Lord Jesus Christ ought to sound so sweet to the believer’s ear. The stories of Jesus telling of His compassion, mercy, and His love should excite the Christian’s heart.

To think upon lovely things then must mean to think upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Think upon His cross; think upon His blood. Think upon His resurrection; think upon His glory. Are these things not the most lovely things?

Instead of filling our thoughts with sinful and wicked thoughts, let us think upon things most pure. Instead of filling our thoughts with worries, cares and thoughts of murmurings and complaining, let us think upon things most lovely.