- whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any virtue and if anything worthy of praise, think on these (Phil. 4:8)
Introduction. This passage gives specific guidance for passages such as “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” or “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (Pr. 4:23; 2Cor. 10:5). Our minds are always thinking. When we are not focused with work, we tend to imagine and remember. The direction of these thoughts are critical to spiritual growth. Just as “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned," (Mt. 12:37), so also “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Mt. 12:34-35).
These meditations are the boundary between safety and danger and even life and death. They channel our thoughts like the lines on the road keep cars in their lanes or the out of bounds lines around any field of play. By assessing our thoughts before, during and after we think them we can be assured that “my meditation be sweet to Him” (Ps. 19:14; 104:34).