“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.” – Phil. 4:8
I knew I had really stepped in it big time. I said something to my wife that, no sooner than it came flying out of my mouth, I immediately began apologizing. “I didn’t mean that… I’m just really stressed out right now with everything going on, and I took it out on you. I’m sorry… You know that isn’t me talking, right?”
Her response: “Five-eleven, overweight, thinning hair, always leaving the toilet seat up… Yeah, I’m pretty sure that was you talking.”
In Matthew 15:11, Jesus said, “It’s not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him. It’s what comes out of his mouth that defiles him.” Within minutes of arriving home that day, I had most certainly defiled myself. And for much of the remainder of that evening, my wife joined in and defiled me some more.
I should’ve read Philippians 4:8 that evening before entering my house. I would’ve then noticed what Paul didn’t say.
“And now, dear husband, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is untrue, and impure, and dishonorable, and wrong, and unlovely, and hateful. Think about things that are demeaning and worthy of condemnation.”
So in the book of Matthew, Jesus is basically telling us that our words matter. And in the book of Philippians, Paul is telling us that our thoughts matter.
And oddly enough, neither of these guys were married. But their words are so, so true. And not just for ungrateful husbands who think and say the wrong things, but for everyone who thinks and says the wrong things about everything and everyone.
If Paul came back to earth today and had a conversation with me, I would imagine it would be one-sided and go something like this:
“Here’s what I need you to do, Scott. I need you to get off of social media. It is poisoning your mind. All it does is make you angry and depressed. I also need you to start being mindful of the stuff you watch on television. Sports are fine, although I would stay away from MMA. And quite frankly, some of the so-called “Christian” programming should be avoided as well – don’t get me started. And what kind of music are you listening to? If it’s not uplifting and free of profanity, drinking, drugging, and womanizing, it’s garbage. And how much news are you consuming? Nothing will depress a human more than being inundated with the sad state of the world in which he lives. I’m not saying to not stay informed. I’m just telling you to not get consumed. Also, find some people who follow Jesus and spend time with them. If they’re bearing good fruit, meet with them regularly. If not, keep searching. And lastly, what books are you reading? If the title to one of them doesn’t start with B and end with E, that needs to change immediately. The Bible feeds us the food we need. God’s Word spiritually nourishes us. It encourages us. It convicts us. It lifts us up when we’re feeling down. And it gives us written instructions on how we are to live! It is the story of Christ, front to back! So don’t be held captive to the ways of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will for you is, His good and perfect and pleasing will.”
Maybe Paul would disagree with that. Who knows. But I do know I have a lot of reprogramming to do.
Bestselling Christian author, Craig Groeschel, encourages his readers in his book entitled, Winning the War in Your Mind, with this profound thought:
“Sometimes we need to think about what we think about.”
Former Blackout Artist 