Think About Such Things

Our mind, is one of the main key elements of our body. As seen in these scriptures:

·         Psalms 26:2 Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

·         Psalms 64:6 They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.

·         Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

 What I believe we are seeing is that "so as the mind thinks, will the body be and become". Another scripture reference to make this point is:

·         Colossians 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize [prize meaning salvation]. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head [God], from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

 With this background and level set, let us turn to a scripture of some 'good news': 

·         Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9B And the God of peace will be with you.

First, let us quickly check the definition and meaning of the word, true:

·         true Consistent with fact or reality; not false or erroneous. Real, reliable, and genuine. Faithful, as to a friend, vow, or loyal.

Our Heavenly Father established the Law of Commandments as our "Truth" to live by. Just after the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, Jesus begins to explain the finer points of the Laws Fulfillment...  Murder = Angry; Adultery = Lust; Divorce, Oaths, Fasting, Prayer, and so on. Jesus begins this explanation on the Laws Fulfillment with the  scripture:

·         Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Now let us take a look at another word in our focal scripture: Philippians 4:8

·         noble Possessing hereditary rank. Having or showing qualities of high moral character, such as courage, generosity, or honor.

Some scripture references on this are:

·         Luke 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

·         2 Timothy 12:20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

 Now let us conclude by rereading our focal scripture, Philippians 4:8 and 9B - As we have seen... our mind is one of the key elements of the body and to have real peace, the peace that surpasses understanding, we must focus our thinking upon truth, righteousness, purity, love, things that are noble,   admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy - May God's peace fill you, amen