Our thoughts, the things we think about, are of critical importance. In God’s eyes, our thoughts define us as surely as any word spoken or deed done. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Our thoughts are the intent of our hearts. Although we cannot know each other’s hearts, God knows each of our hearts — He knows our thoughts. In Matthew 9, it is recorded that Jesus said to a paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you.” At this, the account continues that the Scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes!” At verse 4 it is recorded that Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?”
You see, the things we say and do are the product of our thoughts, and our thinking involves the heart. Not our actual physical heart, but the core of who we are, our minds. Jesus said in Matthew 15:18–20:
“...those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man...”
Our thinking is important — it is the fertile ground from which our words and deeds spring. Our thinking can defile us or make us pure. To help us achieve and maintain purity, the Apostle Paul has given us practical instructions in Philippians 4:8:
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”
Over the course of this series of articles, we are going to consider each of the items on this list which Paul has created, offering practical applications along the way. We begin today with the very first instruction.
Meditate on Whatever Things are True
When looking for something true to meditate on or think about, what better place to begin than with God the Father? What or who could be truer than the Creator of all that is, the Author of truth?
God the Father is True
In John 8:26, Jesus says of the Father, “...He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”
We see this just before He begins His ministry, when He is tempted by Satan. With every temptation, Jesus quoted from the Old Testament — His first answer was from Deuteronomy 8:3: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Even this response, itself, demonstrates this great ideal — God is true, and because He is true, His Word is true.
How much time do we actually devote to thinking about our God, Himself?
Though our Father in Heaven is all-knowing and all-powerful, He is deeply interested in us having Him on our minds. When you look into the Word, you find that the discussion of His character makes up much of its pages. He is so often addressed in a way that speaks directly to His character and what He does in our lives:
- Yahweh Nissi tells us He is our refuge and our banner.
- Yahweh Rapha tells us He heals us.
- Yahweh Yireh tells us He provides.
A study into His compound names would be time well spent, as it would be impossible to do so and not keep Him on our minds, a place He ought to reside! Of course, studying and meditating on God’s Word in general will also keep Him on our minds.
God’s Word is True
On numerous occasions, Jesus made it clear that He was always sharing the words of God:
- In John 7:16, Jesus says, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.”
- In John 8:38, He says, “I speak what I have seen with My Father,” and in verse 40, He continues, “But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God.”
The Jews and the Romans of Jesus’ time challenged His words, the truth He delivered from the Father, because it stood directly in the way of their personal ambitions and desires. Nothing has changed. God’s Word remains true, but many in our world have difficulty with it because it requires us to change and submit our lives to Him.
While the truth of God’s Word is often challenged by those in the world, it is a comfort to know that in this modern age, the evidence for Him is overwhelming:
Archaeology is constantly uncovering artifacts that prove the people, events, and places of the Scriptures existed exactly as written.
Science started as an exercise of demonstrating the truths of God’s Word in ancient times, and though it has, for more than 150 years, often tried to discredit God, God’s truths keep finding their way back into science. Many believing scientists have returned to exploring the glory of God’s creation and recognizing His Intelligent Design!
Psalm 119:160 says, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” That sentiment is recorded in various ways throughout the Psalms, and well it should be. Though the world will seldom recognize God’s Word as true, it is vital that we are fully convinced. If anyone does not accept that God’s Word is truth, any faith they claim to hold in Him is in vain. But since we know that His Word is truth, we must recognize the immense value of studying and meditating on it.
Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16–17:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. In 2 Samuel 23:2, David is speaking his last words and says, “The Spirit of Yahweh spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.” God told Moses and Jeremiah that He would put His words in their mouths just as He did with David and so many more, by which we have the Old Testament. Likewise, we have the New Testament through the words of Jesus and His Apostles.
"Inspired" literally means “God-breathed.” If God breathed it, and God is true, then His Word is true!
Jesus is True
Since God the Father is true, His Word is true, and Jesus only spoke what He heard from the Father, He is true. Everything He ever thought, said, or did was as directed by the Father — how could He be anything but true? The fact is, Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and is one with the Father (John 10:30), so again, how could He not be true?
Of Himself, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) It could not be stated any more plainly than that. With Jesus being the only “way” to the Father, much of our daily thoughts should be dedicated to Him and how best to serve Him.
Another thing we ought to give considerable thought to is “true worship.” Listen to a familiar passage, John 4:23–24 :
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Where Will We Dwell?
There are so many things that are true in Scripture that we could look into, but let us leave it here for now. I would like to note, however, that with each item Paul encourages us to meditate on, God, His Word, and Jesus will always top the list.
As we continue in coming articles to look at whatever things are noble, whatever things are of good report, and what things are virtuous and praiseworthy, let us keep in mind that all these things start with God, His Word, and Jesus!
The question I leave you with today is this: “What are we going to meditate on?”
How often do we find ourselves giving our mind’s attention to the negativity in the news, negativity in our family, at work, in our neighborhood, and on and on? How often do we believe a lie and let it fester in our lives? How often do we let gossip take up residence in our heads?
Paul shows us a better way!
Are we going to be focused on the temporary, broken things of this world, or will we be meditating on whatever things are true?
The choice is ours!