Does anyone else find this incredibly difficult. I mean I know what I am supposed to think, meditate, on but it seems like everything in our world is trying to keep us thinking about other things.
I mean let's look at it, "true", how do you focus on truth when it seems that you cannot count on anyone to give you the truth. You look at anything on the Internet, newspapers, news stations it seems like everything is slanted one way or another to get you to buy into their truth. There doesn't seem to be any absolute truth anymore. Even within the church, what is true for one church is not necessarily true for another.
Whatever things are noble, honorable from the root word meaning to revere, religious. Is there any honor anymore? It doesn't seem that people value nobility or honor anymore, for true nobility is having an excellent moral character and morality seems to be a thing of the past.
Whatever things are just. Justice is something we cry out for when it comes to others, but not so much for ourselves. Just, is more and more subjective, we say things like "he was just in doing that". "I am justified in my actions". Without moral absolute every action can be justified by the individual who chooses it.
Whatever things are pure. Purity, really? It seems to be a gag for the tabloids. Even if you try to be pure or think on things that are pure you just have to wake up in the morning and the world is bombarding you with everything but purity. From TV, Movies, commercials, radio, internet, all around us. Even opening your email can be a land mine of negotiating through spam emails trying to seduce you into every impure act known to man. Drive by your local junior or senior high school and you will what our kids, especially our sons are up against. Girls fully developed wearing short shorts or skirts, low cut tops, leaving nothing to the imagination. I am amazed that parents allow their daughters to dress like this. Even if boys wanted to think on what is pure, it is nearly impossible.
Whatever things are lovely. These are the things that one has an affection towards. So the things that you like. The things that you think about, are the things that you are friendly towards, the things you like, so ask yourself, what is it that dominates my thinking? What is on my mind when I wake up? When I fall asleep?
Whatever things are of good report. What things have a good reputation, well spoken of. Are you looking for the good to focus on, or are you focused on the bad. When you mind is continually focused on the bad, whether it is personally in your own life, or in society or in the world, it will have an affect on you and what you do. God knows there is a lot of horrible things going on in the world, and I don't believe that he is saying that we are not to be aware of that what is happening, but the question is what are you focused on? Try focusing on things that are of good report and see if that doesn't change your attitude and your behavior.
If there is any virtue? Virtue comes from the same root word as manliness. A man of valor, excellence. Is there any virtue? Do we see men or women that are worthy of praise? Men and women of valor, courage, bravery? I think we do, those are the stories we need to hear more about. Yes there are plenty of people that make the news for messing up, but what about having more news about those that step up to the plate, put their lives on the line, the true unsung heroes of our time?
The next goes along with the above, if there is anything praiseworthy, mediate on these things.
How would our lives change if we started putting this verse into practice each and every day. If we got rid of the idea that "sex sells" and replaced it with "valor sells" "nobility sells". Turned off the violent TV shows, games, stayed away from movies that didn't uplift. Remember this only pertains to Christians, although I believe everyone would benefit from doing this.
But my challenge is to Christians, examine this week what you are watching, listening too, reading and run everything the filter of Philippians 4:8, and see what may need some changing. I believe for too long we have slowly allowed the enemy to take control of our minds. I know when I am conscientiously aware I am amazed by the oh so subtle and subtle ways the enemy uses to take me away from who God made me to be. If you take this challenge, please let me know, what if any changes God challenges you to make in your life. I would love to pray for you and with you. God Bless
Whatever things are lovely. These are the things that one has an affection towards. So the things that you like. The things that you think about, are the things that you are friendly towards, the things you like, so ask yourself, what is it that dominates my thinking? What is on my mind when I wake up? When I fall asleep?
Whatever things are of good report. What things have a good reputation, well spoken of. Are you looking for the good to focus on, or are you focused on the bad. When you mind is continually focused on the bad, whether it is personally in your own life, or in society or in the world, it will have an affect on you and what you do. God knows there is a lot of horrible things going on in the world, and I don't believe that he is saying that we are not to be aware of that what is happening, but the question is what are you focused on? Try focusing on things that are of good report and see if that doesn't change your attitude and your behavior.
If there is any virtue? Virtue comes from the same root word as manliness. A man of valor, excellence. Is there any virtue? Do we see men or women that are worthy of praise? Men and women of valor, courage, bravery? I think we do, those are the stories we need to hear more about. Yes there are plenty of people that make the news for messing up, but what about having more news about those that step up to the plate, put their lives on the line, the true unsung heroes of our time?
The next goes along with the above, if there is anything praiseworthy, mediate on these things.
How would our lives change if we started putting this verse into practice each and every day. If we got rid of the idea that "sex sells" and replaced it with "valor sells" "nobility sells". Turned off the violent TV shows, games, stayed away from movies that didn't uplift. Remember this only pertains to Christians, although I believe everyone would benefit from doing this.
But my challenge is to Christians, examine this week what you are watching, listening too, reading and run everything the filter of Philippians 4:8, and see what may need some changing. I believe for too long we have slowly allowed the enemy to take control of our minds. I know when I am conscientiously aware I am amazed by the oh so subtle and subtle ways the enemy uses to take me away from who God made me to be. If you take this challenge, please let me know, what if any changes God challenges you to make in your life. I would love to pray for you and with you. God Bless
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