A Challenge

A challenge for each of us as we end this study:

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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

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Lies in our Thoughts

By Ana Renee

 “It really isn’t that bad.”

“It could be worse!”

“At least I’m not thinking about this!”

“Just a few minutes won’t hurt me.”

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How often do we preface our thoughts with similar excuses and then proceed to slip into the thoughts that we know are not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise-worthy?

Let us take on a challenge: the next time thoughts come up that are not wholly acceptable, do a quick check: “Do these thoughts strictly follow Philippians 4:8 or am I being tempted to sin?” Thoughts might come that are not wholesome, but we will one day be judged for what we did with those thoughts. Did we excuse them and fulfill the lusts of our flesh (Galatians 5:16)? Or did we realize that they were trash and throw them away?

Overthrowing Doubts

Quote by Charles Spurgeon, shared by Erika T.

Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; 

ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt?

Since "He hat said" (Hebrews 13:5) is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in your richly, as "A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life." So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life. (from Charles H. Spurgeon)

Fear

By Amanda T.
{Note: while I did not write this specifically for the topic of our thought-life, I have found that many times, fear invades our thoughts and steals our peace}

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“What is happening to my America?” This was a question posed by a lady who feared the changes that have been made in our country. As Christians, we also ask the same question, with the same tinge of fear. What is happening to our country? What will happen to us? What freedoms are going to be taken away? We have no peace. Why? Because we are all fearing instead of trusting.

What is fear? The modern dictionary defines fear as “a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc.” but I believe that God’s Word defines it much better.

Fear is not from the Lord:

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7-9)

Fear is lack of love:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18

Fear is lack of trust:

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Psalm 56:3-4

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:1, 3

When we spend time in God’s Word, it should cause our fear to come crashing down. Our Heavenly Father has given us many promises that we should hide in our hearts to combat the devil’s weapon of fear.

 God is always with us:

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5b)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

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The Lord is always ready to help:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Psalm 46:1-3

The Lord will watch over us:

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

The Lord will protect us:

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalm 118:6

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Proverbs 3:25-26

The Lord does not intend to do evil to us:

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

How can there be peace with fear? There cannot. Peace comes by simply trusting God, loving God, and determining to push away any fear when it arises.

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

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Proud Thoughts

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Often, our thoughts lead us to think very highly of ourselves, something we are warned not to do.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:3

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

                                                                     Galatians 6:3                                   

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Whatsoever Things

By Guest Writer, Bethany, from Sisters in Christ

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

For many young ladies, their thought-life is troubling to them.  Many questions arise as to how they can think God-pleasing thoughts and overcome the temptation to think thoughts that are contrary to God.

It is a hard and continuous battle to overcome these thoughts that aren’t acceptable to the Lord...how well I know, for it is a battle that I, too, face.

God has not left us without guidance. There are many times, in His Book, that He has shown us what He desires His children to fill their minds with.  The reference that brings it all together is the well-known verse: Philippians 4:8, which I would like to look at in depth.

...whatsoever things are true...

To be able to think on things that are true, we must love the truth and uphold it in every part of our lives, no matter what others may do.

What are we thinking?  Does it accurately portray what we are thinking about?  I know that young ladies tend to fantasize, and look at things through rose-coloured glasses, but we need to see things for what they really are.

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...whatsoever things are honest...

Honesty is very closely linked with truthfulness...you cannot be honest without being truthful, and you can’t be truthful without being honest.  The two go hand-in-hand, and to drop one part simply means to drop both.

...whatsoever things are just...

Just thoughts are thoughts of righteousness...thoughts that are within the commands of God.  What a restriction, but also what freedom!  We serve a holy and blameless God, and as His children, ought we not to act and - above all - think how our Father thinks?  Proverbs 23:7a says, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...” If we are thinking righteously and guiltlessly before God, we will act that way in our daily lives, and people around us will see us reflecting the Lord’s character.

...whatsoever things are pure...

What a wide range of thoughts this simple word “pure” covers...it means to think those things that are clean and free from any ungodliness and avoid thinking on those things that would make our minds dirty.  In even simpler terms, it means to think like a holy person.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holly, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation: Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:13-16).

...whatsoever things are lovely...

Lovely...there are many things we see in life that we pronounce lovely, whether it is scenery or an item of clothing or a rose in bloom or something that a person has made...the list could go on and on.  But when we say something is lovely, we are saying that it is acceptable to us; we are pleased with it.

And so it should be with our thoughts - when God looks upon our thoughts and views them, can He say that they are acceptable to Him; that He is pleased with them?

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...whatsoever things are good report...

Could it be said of us that our thoughts are good thoughts, pleasing thoughts, thoughts that are right in every way?  Although our thoughts can be seen by no other human while being thought, they will be eventually seen by our actions.  Can we truly say that what we are thinking, we’d be happy for others to see?

...whatsoever things are virtue...

“Virtue” could be simply known as “good”, or –back to the oft repeated statement– acceptable to the Lord.

...whatsoever things are praise...

We need to think thoughts that are building up others–not putting other people down “in the dumps” so to speak.  I know that there are people who are very hard to get along with for whatever reason, but when we - with the Lord’s help - think good, up-lifting thoughts of those people, the Lord bestows upon us a special love to share with them.

This study has been a blessing to me as I have prepared it; I hope it has been to you dear sisters.

May the Lord bless each of you as you seek to glorify Him in a thought-life that is pleasing and acceptable unto Him.

           

Until next time...think on these things!

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Our Thoughts - and Love

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Are our thoughts reflecting love for our God and others?

Charity . . .

thinketh no evil

(1 Corinthians 13:4 and 5)

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