Philippians 4:8 …think on these things.
The Way You Think
One of the many differences between you and your cat is that your cat thinks, but you have the ability to think about the way that you think. We don’t always do this, but it would probably be good for us if we did. I have found that the biggest and hardest issues to take care of in life are in the mind. They can affect every other area of life, and that makes them mighty important.
Throughout the book of Philippians, we find that the mind is a theme of the book. The Bible tells us that we are to have the mind of Christ. Philippians 3:19 talks about those “whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” In chapter 4, Paul encourages two ladies to be of “the same mind in the Lord.” I’d like to challenge you to think about the way that you think.
The way that you think affects the way that you work. In Philippians, Paul was encouraging fellow laborers to be of the same mind in the Lord. Most of our problems with people begin in the mind. We often think that our problem is another person or issue, but problems start because of how we think about things. We need to think about people as Christ would think about them.
How did Christ think? Paul says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” The word “esteem” means “to lead before the mind.” Then he says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” He continues by giving us an example of obedience and humility from Jesus Himself.
The way that you think affects the way that you feel. Paul says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,… honest,… just,… pure,… lovely,… of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” He’s talking about the way that we feel. We oftentimes think, “I know this is true because I have a feeling.” That is flipped. You should feel the way you feel because you know what you know. Knowing and thinking on the truth affect the way I feel. Paul tells us to take our requests to God and think on good things. The way I think and the things upon which I think determine not only the way I work, but the way I feel.
The way you think determines the way you see things. Paul talks about his needs and then says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Paul had learned to be content in any condition. It was something about which God had instructed him. Paul’s thinking allowed him to have a contentment and joy that surpassed the conditions in which he found himself. His joy was based upon the God Who oversees the whole universe.
How are you thinking? Think about the way that you think, and let God and His Word be the source of direction and guidance for how you think today.