Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.—Philippians 4:8  (ESV)

 

Redeemed And Changed

One of the challenges for a redeemed child of God is that our sinful minds still run wild. In the silence of our hearts, we’ll lift our prayers to God. But something always lurks in our thoughts. And, as Jesus shows us in The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), that sin begins inside, in our thoughts. Murder begins with hatred in our minds. Adultery begins with lustful thoughts. Theft begins with greed.

But the fight of redemption is to be different than these old ways. We are redeemed to fight the sin in our hearts and minds. Christ died and rose to free us from sin. But sin still seeks to pull us back. So Paul’s holy advice to the Philippians applies to us also.  We are to think on the good things, not just what makes us happy, but those things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. This is where our minds must focus. We are not to foolishly turn a blind eye to the wrongs of this world, but are to change our minds to focus on the things of God.