With the world vying for our attention, it is crucial that we stand on guard concerning our thoughts.

Philippians chapter 4 verse eight in the NLT says this, “And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

How can we live out Philippians 4:8? Well, first, guard your mind! We must realize that what you and I put into our minds determines what comes out in our words, our desires and our actions. For example, if we fill our minds with secular music, it will influence our desires, words, and actions. For some of us, if we binge watch violent movies, it will cause us to react violently and take on certain tendencies that are not godly. The same is true with sexually explicit movies or shows—it influences and feeds the flesh. Another example is if we are overdosing on worldliness like how the world acts, how the world responds to issues, or how the world treats people then our words, desires and actions will be just like the world as described in 1 John 2:15. (Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.)

The next step in how to live out verse eight, the Apostle Paul encourages us to focus on Jesus. Each of us understands the need to be intentional about shifting our focus to Him. The word think is an action verb. In this scripture, it means that we are to reason, to decide, or to conclude.  When we reason on what is true that simply means that we are thinking about His life, His standards, His character, and His ways. Let us decide that Jesus is just and right. We are putting into practice these things by renewing our minds as Romans 12:2 tells us. (“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”) 

Our last step in living out this scripture is by studying and meditating on His Word as it is written in Psalm chapter 1 verses 2 and 3. It says, “But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

You and I are able to put verse eight into practice, not in our own strength or not because we feel like it, but simply because we live a life that is surrendered to the power of the Holy Spirit. Only with His help can we live it out!