Turning Our Minds to What is True

Apparently I’m not the only one who has a problem with the thoughts I entertain in my mind. If it was just me, the apostle Paul wouldn’t have had to counsel others a long time ago:

Finally, brothers and sisters, 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)

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard Bible talks, maybe read articles, maybe even participated in a Bible class based on this verse. It isn’t just me. It isn’t just you.

It’s baked into our nature. Remember what God said when He was fed up with mankind? “Every intention of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) I don’t believe this means better thoughts are impossible. Note that Noah was an exception. And here Paul is coaching us to think better thoughts, so it must be possible. I believe God’s statement in Genesis tells us that our default is to think evil, and if we just go with what comes naturally, we’ll have our minds filled with evil continually.

Paul tells us there’s an antidote. We can do something about it—but it will take effort. It will involve deliberately and intentionally taking our focus away from what comes naturally. Thankfully, it’s not just theoretical. As a practical help, Paul gives us eight things to focus on instead. Each of these is worth a study of its own. For now, let’s just make a start thinking about the first one: Whatever is true.

In one sense this could be counseling us to find out about and contemplate who the true God is, what the true gospel is, what Jesus was getting at when he said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) I’d say that this is way beyond simply a good idea—it’s imperative!

In another sense, thinking about whatever is true could mean not making up false stuff in our minds. Imagining scenarios where we… [fill in the blank with your own unworthy fantasies]. Stuff like what Paul lists in various places, for example coveting, malice, immorality, envy, slander, vengeance—on and on. (Romans 1:29-31, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21 and others) As Jesus said, these evil things come out of our “heart”—that is our mind. (Mark 7:20-23)

Turning our minds toward what is true in both of these senses is important. Necessary in fact. I suspect the second sense may be what Paul specifically had in mind when he wrote to the Philippians. Or maybe it’s just me that feels like this is where work is needed. Need to think about it.