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.  Philippians 4:8 KJV

The Word of God tells you how to live a productive, successful, fruit-filled life. It all begins not merely with choosing good actions, or even good words, but it begins on the inside of you – in your thought life! Your thoughts shape and direct your attitude. Your attitude shapes and directs your every choice, word and action. The Amplified Bible says that you must FIX your minds on these good things. That’s because, as Jesus told us in Luke 6:45, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. Whatever fills your mind is coming out of you – no matter how hard you try to contain it!

The word THINK used here is translated variously as: think; impute; reckon; count; account; suppose; reason; number. THINK means: to reckon or account; to count; to compute; to calculate; to count over; to take into account; to make an account of; to impute; to number among; to reckon with: to reckon inward; to count up or weigh the reasons; to deliberate; to gather or infer; to consider; to weigh; to meditate on; to suppose; to deem; to judge; to determine; to purpose; to decide. This word deals with REALITY. If I “think”, or reckon, that my bank account has $50 in it, it has $50 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to FACTS not suppositions.

Proverbs 23:7 says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. That means that what you think – the attitude of your heart – is the real you. You might say what is expected of you to say, but your actions will betray your true feelings. People who say one thing, yet mean another, are not being truthful; they are not even being polite; they are being manipulative and deceitful. This person is a bad friend, because relationship is based on truth. You might think that you have a relationship; however, there is no real relationship, where one of the two is lying to the other.

Fix your mind on things that are true and truthful

The worst kind of person is a deceitful person – a liar. Many people have convinced themselves that they have the truth or that they know the truth, and yet they are self-deceived and blinded by sin. The only TRUTH is in Christ Jesus. The only whole truth is found in the totality of God’s Word. Psalm 119:160 AMP says, “The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.” When you think or meditate on God’s Word, you are meditating on TRUTH.

Fix your mind on things that are honest

Think on things that are honest and honorable, or worthy of honor. The Amplified Bible says that you should think on: whatsoever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly (or appropriate). The word translated HONEST means: august; venerable; reverend; grave (serious); to be venerated for character; honorable. This has to do with good and solid character. Think on things that promote good character and good morals; not bad ones.

Fix your mind on things that are just

Think on things that are righteous, just and right. JUST means: upright; righteous; virtuous; keeping the commands of God; observing divine laws; innocent; faultless; guiltless; approved by, or acceptable to, God. Someone who is considered just, or righteous, by God, is a person whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God. The Lord tells you to think only on those things that line up with His Word and that are acceptable to Him. There are many things that are acceptable to man and the world’s system, but they are unacceptable to God. Our thoughts and meditations must be approved of by God, and acceptable to Him – not man!

Fix your mind on things that are pure

Think on things that are pure and chaste and clear. Do not allow carnality in your thought life. Romans 8:7 says that the mind of the flesh – with its carnal thoughts and purposes – is hostile to God. It cannot and does not submit itself to God’s Law. In order for your thinking to change and become pure, rather than be defiled, you must submit to Word of God and fill your mind with God’s principles. Your mind must be renewed and washed by the water of the Word of God! By the Word of God and with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can evict carnal, fleshly, lustful thoughts far from you. And then begin to think on those things that are pure, holy, sacred, chaste, modest, immaculate, innocent and clean.

Fix your mind on things that are lovely

Think on things that are lovely. Think on things that are acceptable and pleasing to God. Don’t fill your mind with things that are nasty and ugly. Don’t read or watch things that are nasty and ugly and cruel and evil. Read the Word of God and good, clean, godly books and watch good, clean, godly programs and movies.

Fix your mind on things that have a good report

The Amplified Bible says: think on those things that are kind and winsome and gracious. Think positive thoughts – not negative. Think positive things about people and things. Love believes the best – not the worst – of everyone (1 Cor. 13:7).

Fix your mind on things that have virtue

VIRTUE means: moral goodness; any particular moral excellence; modesty; purity. Let your thoughts be virtuous and good.

Fix your mind on things that are worthy of praise

If there is anything worthy of praise or commendation – think on those things.

Paul began this whole verse with the words: “Finally, my brethren”. There are a number of things we can and must do in order to please God, to be in right-standing with Him and to be successful in our Christian walk. One of the most important of these is to grab a hold of our thought life. We can no longer afford to let the devil have his way in our mind. We must tear down the strongholds of the enemy and evict our old carnal, worldly way of thinking. Instead we must replace our old thoughts and attitudes with the very thoughts and attitudes of the Word of God. We have been given the mind of Christ and do hold the thoughts, intents, feelings and purposes of His heart    (1 Cor. 2:16).