What?
“The President just said this…”. “Did you hear what Senator _______did?” Oh yeah, and we can’t forget about the shooting in Texas, the Pastor that said this, the church that has split over that, or the Congresswoman who said…. I could go on and on and on. I think you all know what I am talking about. All the things that are happening every day worldwide are astounding and I hardly hear anything because I do not listen to the news or commentaries that talk about the news.
But you may be saying, “You need to keep up with what is happening because we need to be prepared for the crisis that is coming.” Am I going to be prepared for the crisis if I am focusing on them? How do I prepare for the crisis ahead? What does it look like? And does it matter if I know?
Truth
To me, the only way that we are going to be ready for any crisis is to be focused on the important things. “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” Philippians 4:8. To me, this verse says it all and should be our criteria for everything that we listen to, watch, read, or think about. I want to break it down a little and talk about each phrase in the verse. I am not perfect at accomplishing this verse in my own life but I am striving for it.
“…Whatsoever things are true…”
So where do you get your information is it the news, a talk show guy, a friend, church leader, etc? How do you know what you’re hearing is true? I mean let’s face it; everything that probably comes to you has come through multiple people before it ever gets to you. So how true is it when it does get to you? And then there is the agenda that the person talking is trying to push so they are coming from their agenda’s perspective.
If you want to believe that there is no agenda and things passed down get accurately repeated then even if it is true does that mean we should be dwelling upon it? Is dwelling upon these things going to get us prepared for heaven? But what about…
“…Whatsoever things are honest…”
It seems that true and honest are the same thing. There are similarities but there is also a difference. This is where the agenda really falls into play. Details are presented in such a way to deceive the people into believing that what is said is the truth. You might call that propaganda. You know if you tell a lie big enough and long enough eventually people believe it. And as people believe it someone or something control them more. And is what they are allowing to control them bringing them love, joy, peace, etc.
“…Whatsoever things are just…”
Is what we are filling our minds with upright (just)? Is it approved and acceptable to God? Do we have to dwell upon those things that are not just and right in order to know what is just and righteous? We should be filling our minds with things that are innocent and holy. We should be doing those things that are innocent and holy.
Instead of focusing on the bad things that are happening in the world and within the Christian community and complaining about it, do Christ method. It is His method alone that is going to win the hearts of the people. And what is His method? Keep reading.
“…Whatsoever things are pure…”
What does it even mean to be pure in our society today? Everywhere you look purity has been thrown out the door. I had someone say to me one day, and I don’t even know if he is a Christian, “Most of the TV programs and movies today are pornographic. I won’t even watch them.”
The fact is if what is on media today would have been shown in the ‘40s society would have put their foot down. But it has come so gradually that people don’t even think about it. I don’t really know what is on today but you don’t have to watch it to see advertisements plastered everywhere. And to me, if we are watching those things we are condoning them. We are in the getaway car so to speak. If we were in the getaway car at a robbery we would be held just as guilty as the person robbing the bank.
We can choose to be pure in what we allow into our minds. The temptation is not a sin. So when we see something that could be sinful it is not a sin unless we continue to look or dwell upon what we have seen. I wish I could get young people today to understand this concept. I seen something totally by accident when I was probably 10 and I still have that in my memory. It comes in a lot quicker than it leaves. It can be like a virus that destroys your life. Guard yourselves as much as it is possible to do. Dwell upon the things that are pure.
“…Whatsoever things are lovely…”
Oh, how pleasant it is to dwell upon the lovely things. When I think about lovely it makes me think of nature, the birds, deer, trees, flowers, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, etc. Also, the truths of God’s Word are lovely. There are so many things within this world that are not lovely.
If every time you went to listen or watch something and you thought about whether it was lovely it would change the trend of what you do. And I am not talking just about worldly things, like movies, news, and gossip, etc. I am also talking about religious things. What are the Christians dwelling upon in their sermons, songs, gossip (yes, I mean gossip and it can be more poisonous than worldly gossip), etc.? Is it lovely? There may be things that happen in this world whether in the Christian community or the worldly community that is not worth dwelling upon or preaching about. How do we deal with the crisis we are in today? Christ method alone will reach the hearts of the people whether they are Christians or the ungodly. And what is Christ’s method? Keep reading.
“…Whatsoever things are of good report…”
Good report, something that is well-spoken and reputable, and something that is well thought of, highly regarded, well respected, respectable, and of good repute.
I like what it says in Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Words usually start with our thoughts. If our thoughts are going in a line that is unacceptable it will eventually come out via our words.
We think with horror of the cannibal who feasts on the still warm and trembling flesh of his victim. But here is the question. Is the ruin caused by misrepresenting motive, blackening reputation, dissecting character any better? In God’s eyes, I would think not. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” Proverbs 18:21. Those whom God accounts worthy to be citizens with Him is he that “walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour” Psalms 15:2, 3.
We need to close our ears to things that are not of good report and also do not speak those things that are not of good report. Christ method alone will reach the people of this world whether in or out of the church.
“…If there be any virtue…”
We need to have a virtuous course of thought, feeling, and action. And we need to be full of moral excellence, as modesty, and purity. We cannot be virtuous in our thoughts, feelings, and actions if we are filling our minds with things that are not virtuous. We need to guard our ears and our eyes. What we listen to or see with our eyes affects whether or not our thoughts, feelings, or actions are morally excellent. This is not easy to do in our society today. We may be made fun of because we won’t take part in certain things.
I remember being told, as people laughed, “You were born under a rock.” And this was as an adult. I then became more “worldly-wise” and believe me it did not help me in my spiritual growth. Of course, I am still not as “worldly-wise” as a lot of people but way more than I wish. I was way better off in my innocence. If I could say anything to young people it would be, “It is really okay not to fit in.” Once you have made unwise choices life will never be the same. And remember what did it get our first parents, Adam and Eve, to be more worldly-wise, knowing good and evil? It got us where we are today and it is not pleasant!
“…And if there be any praise…”
Are the things that we are allowing into our lives praiseworthy? If we keep our minds and hearts stayed on Jesus it doesn’t mean there will not be bad things that come or happen in our lives or in the lives of those we love. But through all these things we can still praise His name because “…We know that all things work together for good to them that one God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28. God has chosen all of us but not all of us choose Him.
The bottom line is we can’t control everything that comes into our lives but we should control those things that we can control. We need to make sure the things we can control are praiseworthy. If they are not praised worthy we should eliminate them.
“…Think on these things…”
If we are thinking about “…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” Philippians 4:8, our lives will be reflecting Christ.
I believe as we choose to only allow these things into our thoughts and hearts we will have a joy that will reflect out to others. We will have a joy that is overflowing with the love of Christ in our hearts. There are so many things that the devil wants to use to distract us. But if we stay focused on the genuine, Jesus Christ, He will be able to mold us into His image. And we will be able to reach those around us with Christ method.
What is Christ method?
If they are hungry we should feed them, thirsty give them a drink, be kind to strangers, clothe those that are naked. When there are those who are sick we should visit them, we should be reaching out to those that are in prison. When we do for those that are in need we are doing for Christ. This is what will draw people to Christ.
When He went through a town those that were sick were healed, whether they were emotionally or physically sick. Now we can’t heal like Jesus did but we can help encourage and direct them to things that can bring healing to the body, mind, and soul. This is my passion! I want to teach people natural ways to live healthier despite disease, live emotionally vibrant and spiritually uplifted in the midst of depressing circumstances.
Christ method was to teach in such a way as to not condemn but to uplift those that needed Him. They felt His love and compassion for them. Sometimes the emotional or spiritual healing is needed more than the actual physical issues people may be dealing with. And God can show us what is most important in reaching each person as we stay in connection with Him.
Dear Father,
We live in a time where we are bombarded with so many distractions. Draw close to us and prompt us to stay focused on what You would have us stay focused on so that we can live a happier more productive life for others. And as we do this it will bring more satisfaction into our own lives as well be more pleasing in Your sight. Help us not to look at negative things or be condemning but to focus on what You have told us should be our focus so that we can bring joy and happiness not only to ourselves but to others.
Thank You for Your Word that brings hope and courage. Help us and guide us as we read and study Your Word. As we continue to study help us to grow in grace and truth.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
As you reach out to others keep in mind Christ method. Read the Gospels to discover more about how He taught. Make sure to examine your life and take those things from your life that does not fulfill those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report; and fill your mind with those things that are virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Love you all!
What has been your experience when you stay your mind on what God has in mind for us? Share your experience below in the comments. I would love to hear it.