“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things.”
What is occupying your mind?
Every action begins as a thought. The thoughts we allow in our minds will eventually become the actions that we do.
Right living begins with right thinking.
If there is a right way to think, then there must be a wrong way to think. How can we determine what things are beneficial for our minds?
Paul gives us a way to evaluate which thoughts lead us to righteousness. He says that we should think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
True: Think about the truth of the Gospel instead of worrying about the unknown.
Honorable: Think about things that are above the filth that can corrupt our minds.
Just: Think about things that are right so that you may live justly in an unjust world.
Pure: Think about purity to stay away from impurity, sin, and shame.
Lovely: Think about things that are good and give peace.
Commendable: Think about ways to protect your Christian witness and lead others to Jesus.
Paul sums this up by using two words – excellent and praiseworthy. Jesus is both excellent and praiseworthy. Having our minds on Christ will develop the mind of Christ.
Dwelling on these things will develop right thinking which leads to right living. How are we supposed to dwell on these things?
Dwell literally means, to live in a specific place. Having your mind dwell on excellent and praiseworthy things means that you will have to set up residence with the things of God. Planting yourself in God’s Word will enable you to dwell on the Gospel each day instead of living in a mind of worry or impurity.
Live It:
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Does worry rule your mind?
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Which of these six areas can you dwell on today?
Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
Chase Snyder is an author and pastor in Metro Atlanta. Chase’s aim is to help people apply the Bible to their life by take their next step of faith in Jesus. He is the founder of Ministry Bubble – a content creation company that helps people turn their ideas into ministry to serve the local church. Chase writes, speaks, blogs, and hosts the Spiritual Conversations Podcast. He and his wife have two children.
