Coach Jeff Higuera's Blog

RIGHT THINKING

Philippians 4:8 is one of the only verses that we need to know that really encompasses what our minds should be set upon. Paul, who at the time of writing this letter to the Philippian church, is locked in prison. He is writing to encourage the Church to, "Rejoice in the Lord always." In verse 8 Paul writes,

"Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

I looked up the definitions of these words that we should be thinking on:
1. True--Being that which is the case rather than what is assumed.
2. Noble--Possessing, characterized by, or arising from superiority of mind or character of of ideals or morals.
3. Just--Acting or being in conformity with what is morally good or upright.
4. Pure--Free from moral fault or corruption
5. Lovely--Eliciting love by moral or ideal worth
6. Good Report--A persons high standing among others
7. Virtue--Conformity to a standard of right
8. Praiseworthy--Something worthy of praise

What we spend our time thinking on turns us into who we are. Our actions, right or wrong, always begin in the mind. Thoughts lead to feelings, feelings lead to actions; it's called the process of manifestation. If we choose to let our minds wander on what the world throws at us we will have no choice but to meditate on things that are corrupting to our souls.

So use this list of words as your checklist when you are going to watch, read, focus, or let anything get into your mind. Make sure that whatever it is is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, has any virtue, and is praiseworthy. In this your mind will change, your heart will change, your actions will change, and surely your life will change.