think on these things

Philippians 4:8 - 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.

This verse is revolutionary. The day that I understood this verse was the day that I began in earnest to pursue a virtuous thought life.

The first thing to realize is that there is a command in this verse. It seems almost hidden, coming in at the end as it does, but the command is to "think on these things." This is a non-negotiable command. It's not a suggestion.

Think on what things? Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. What helps me here is seeing this list as a complete package. I'm not allowed to pick one criteria out of the list and forget the others. My thoughts have to meet each requirement. Each of the adjectives should describe the others. Something that is true is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Something that is honorable is true, just, pure, lovely... and so on.

For example, it's not good enough to stop at "whatever is true." How many of us look in the mirror and aren't satisfied with what we see? I have a best friend who is often disappointed with her appearance, and she argues that it's not wrong for her to be consumed with these thoughts because they are, in fact, true. Well, there are a lot of "truths" floating around out there that are definitely not pure or praiseworthy, which means I do not need to be thinking and meditating on them. It's also not good enough to have lovely thoughts. I'll tell you, I have some grand dreams for the future. They're beautiful. But are they true? So I need to stop daydreaming and start meditating on truth.

So far in my life, I have only found one topic that meets all the requirements. Jesus is the Truth (Jn. 14:6). God is just (Rom. 3:26). The commandment of the Lord is pure (Ps. 19:8). The Lord's dwelling place is lovely (Ps. 84:1). God's works are commended by one generation to another (Ps. 145:4). God has called us to the knowledge of His own excellence (2 Pet. 1:3). God is worthy to be praised (Ps. 18:3). Only thoughts of God satisfy the command that Paul gave us.

This raises two dilemmas. First, I have to be able to meditate on God all the time, which means away from my Bible. Second, functioning in this earthly life requires me to also think about other things.

The first dilemma I have only been able to solve by memorizing Scripture. There is no way around it. Scripture is our weapon (Eph. 6:17), and we need to be using it. I can't carry around a Bible at work, so I need it in my mind. I need to have God on my mind so that I don't laugh when someone makes a "funny" joke that is not honorable. I need to be meditating on God so that I tremble at His purity when someone wants to gossip (even when what they're saying is, strictly speaking, true). A simple list of attributes, while helpful, doesn't occupy me for eight hours at a time. One passage of Scripture, however, can provide hours' and hours' worth of spiritual food. Ps. 1:1-2

The second dilemma will not be solved until I go home to meet my Savior. It is one of sin's curses that we are incapable of completely fixing our minds on God, and it will be Heaven's joy that our only topic of thought for all of eternity will be God. For now, in my very limited capacity, I need to be diligent in praying that God will keep my thoughts directed on Him, even when I in myself am incapable of doing so. Ps. 19:13-14