“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.” Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

The abiding message of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi concerns the reflection and reality of Christian joy. In order to understand the depth and breadth of Paul’s letter is to first understand that as he pens this particular letter he is in the deep dark confines of a Roman jail cell during his first imprisonment. As paradoxical as it may seem, true joy for Paul was not a surface emotion based on favorable circumstances. Quite to the contrary; his joy was deeply rooted and grounded within his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result, and in spite of his circumstances, the words rejoice or joy are found interwoven throughout the letter some 15 times.

In order to experience true joy in our walk with Christ our minds and attitudes must reflect the proper thoughts. A guarded thought life has to be paralleled with a guided thought life. In, fact the pathway to success in life is paved with what and who, we allow to control our thought life. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) The idea here is that we “reflect” on the word or “ponder” upon it. When we meditate on the word of God and allow it to permeate our thoughts we then can begin the process of cultivating positive and productive inner character building.

What is it that is consuming your thoughts today? What have you been agonizing over while experiencing sleepless nights and anxious moments? Has the drain of your anguishing thoughts begun to have negative consequences on other areas of your life? It is time to adjust the way that you think. It is not going to be easy. In fact it can be quite a battle to say the least. “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Romans 7:23 (NKJV) Our mind becomes a battleground that can ultimately impact our life, the decisions that we make, and the overall quality of our relationships. Most importantly, it can impact our relationship with God and our ability to focus on the things that will grant us joy and peace. In a world that is now filled with an over abundance of information and a myriad of images that are subliminally flashed before us on a constant basis it is imperative that we consider Paul’s suggestion in our devotional text.

The things that are true meditate on them and exclude the things that are false. It is no accident that the text begins with truth. It suggests that our thoughts be genuine, real, and unconcealed. The list goes on with things that are positive and powerful in the life of every believer. Character and conduct begin in the mind. Our actions are affected by the things that we dwell on in our thoughts. Paul admonishes us that we are to concentrate on things that will result in right living and in God’s peace. So where will all of these thoughts lead us? We must think of Christ. That is the ultimate secret of a positive thought life. All unworthy thoughts perish in His presence. “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” II Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV) Meditate on these things.