Calendar

THINK ON THESE THINGS (3)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Philippians 4:8

Proverbs 15:26-33

 

“…whatsoever things are pure…

lovely…of good report…”

 

THINK ON THESE THINGS (3)
 
The following are three more things that we ought to set our minds upon:
 
Whatsoever things are pure – This describes absolute moral purity, sanctification, and holiness, all that is sacred, pure and clean. The word “pure” is from the same root word from which we get the term “saint.” This would contrast with the many pagan, unchaste and wicked things that the Philippians were surrounded with. Likewise, in our world, we are surrounded by corruption, uncleanness, and carnality. We must guard our thoughts against all such evil and think only on that which is pure and good.
 
Whatsoever things are lovely – Things that are lovely are things which are literally “towards love” – things which guide and direct one towards love. This describes things that are pleasing to God, things which would increase our love and affection for the right spiritual things; anything that would incite greater love for God or for one another. The opposite would be things that incite contention, hatred, wrath and conflict. Those are things that are hateful and hurtful, and not lovely at all.
 
Whatsoever things are of good report – Things of good reputation refer to things that are blameless, above board, and well regarded or well spoken of. We must constantly set our minds on the positives (of what God wants), and reject the sinful and the negatives (of things that have a bad report). Our Christian life, and even our thoughts, must be beyond reproach. We must always be mindful of our testimony for the Lord, to ensure that we abstain from any appearance of evil and seek only what would lead others to grow in their regard for the Lord.
 
The world seeks to flood our minds with impure, hateful, and disreputable things. We are constantly bombarded by these negative influences that would turn our thoughts away from God and towards sin. We must sanctify our thoughts by meditating on Christ and His Word.
 
THOUGHT: “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD…” (Prov 15:26)
PRAYER: Father, may Thou guide my thoughts always to seek after that which is pure, lovely and of a good report.

Search