What Fits the Bill?

Philippians 4:8

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.

In reading over this verse this morning,

I realised that there is only ONE thing that truly meets the high

standards of this verse. Only ONE thing that is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy. And that ONE thing, is the Word of God and God Himself.

(or is that 2 things?)

I have been trying to memorize this verse for a long time, but I always get my

just, pure and lovelies out of order. This verse has been a help to me when I find

myself with unwanted thoughts in my head. When I'm tempted to say that sarcastic

remark to that person who's 'got it coming', or I'm wanting to share that bit of gossip,

or speak that unkind word or serve my own biased justice onto someone.

This verse tells us what to think on instead. It gives us an alternative.

And what an alternative it gives us!

Our minds are very powerful things.

God has blessed us with a free will and a mind that

can think and make decisions. But, oh,

how easy it is to slip into

the negative and the sinful and the prideful.

Here, Paul exhorts the brethren

to think on Godly things.

When you're struggling with your thought life, what

better thing to turn your mind to,

than the Word of God!

What is more true, more pure, more lovely, more just,

more honest, more full of good reports,

more virtuous, more praiseworthy,

than the Word of God.

If we fill our minds and our hearts with God's Word,

His Word will drive away those ungodly thoughts

and fill us with His thoughts and His truths instead.

But how can we expect to have those Godly thoughts in our heads

when we neglect to be in the Word daily.

If we neglect the study of

God's Word and don't hide it in our

hearts by continual

reading and studying and memorizing,

how is it going to be there to call

upon in time of need?

It won't happen by osmosis!

It won't happen by attending

one church service a week,

with our Bible under our arm that

conveniently falls open to

where the Pastor is preaching his

current series of messages from,

because it hasn't been opened to any other passage for such a long time.

No! We have to be IN the Word

to gain benefit from it.

To be able to 'think on these things'

as our verse states,

we have to have put some of these Godly thoughts

into the memory banks of our hearts

and minds, beforehand.

Yes, there are lovely things and

true things to dwell on

other than the Word of God. And often we will

look at creation

and the amazing scenery around us and

use these things as

'good' things to think on. And yes, God

put them there for

our enjoyment. But, even viewing a

majestic scene from

a lofty mountaintop should bring us

to our knees in praise and worship

of the God of creation. These 'things'

should drive us to

reflection upon God and His goodness.

His glory. His righteousness.

His loveliness. His virtue.

So, while I am in need of this verse

and encouraged to think on things of a higher nature,

God's Word should be the goal of my thoughts.

Not just the lovely things around me that distract

me from my wicked thoughts.

But God's Holy Word that leads me to

repentance and reveals the darkness

that lies within me.

His Word and ONLY His Word can really fit the bill

of this verse. It is the only reliable source of all

these Godly 'things' to think upon.

Read it.

Meditate upon it.

Memorize it.

Study it.

Live it.

Psalms 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.