Think Great Thoughts

(NASB77) Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things

Author Chip Ingram gives a prescription for believers to think great thoughts by explaining the New American Standard Bible’s rendering of Philippians 4:8:

True- think about things that are objectively true things that conform to reality. Before you put something in your mind, ask yourself: Is this true?

Honorable- this word also means “grave” or “worthy of respect.” It refers to those things that reflect the serious purposes of a believer’s life. Before that movie, commercial, or conversation goes into your mind, ask yourself: Does this honor God and reflect His Purposes for me?

Right- the word implies justice and righteousness. In the New Testament, it’s used to refer to the character and actions of the Father and of Jesus. It is a picture of duty. Before you spend time thinking about something, ask yourself: Is this right or wrong?

Pure- it comes from the same root word as holy and means to be pure from defilement of immorality. It carries the idea of internal integrity. Ask yourself: Am I thinking on things that are pure and holy?

Lovely- this word means attractive, winsome, or beautiful. It pictures things that call forth a response of love and warmth from within us. As yourself: Is my mind filled with beauty?

Of good repute- the general sense of the word is “admirable,” but its literal meaning is “fair speaking.” In other words, are those thoughts fit for God’s hearing?

Anything of excellence and worthy of praise— these last two thoughts are a summary category for anything that has moral excellence, motivates us to godly behavior, or encourages others to walk with God.

What is Paul saying? Get your thoughts right and the emotions, behaviors, and consequences of peace will follow. A spiritually trained mind will align everything else to such a degree that emotional issues will begin to be resolved and behavior will begin to fall into place. The exhortation today is for us to practice, “Thinking Great Thoughts!”

Let’s Pray:
“Father, help us to practice and execute thinking great thoughts, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Confession:

Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail

Above only and not beneath

The lender and not the borrower

The conqueror and not the conquered



I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness

And for delivering my life from death and destruction

So that I shall live and not die to declare your works



I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body today

For by Your Stripes I'm healed

I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed

Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee



I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life today

For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus

Thank You that all things are working together for my good

And that You always cause me to triumph



This is the day that you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

In Jesus, Name, amen.



Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me

and that You would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!”

The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10