What’s On Your Mind?

What’s on Your Mind?

Q: According to Philippians 4:8, what kind of things should we think about?

• a. good, noble, temporary, pure, arrogant, and true things
• b. holy, proud, right, earthly, righteous, and good things
• c. true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable things

Have you heard the expression “Garbage in, garbage out”? It was first used in the computer world to mean if you put wrong or invalid data in a computer, wrong or invalid answers will come out.

Do you know your mind works the same way? If you fill your mind with games, TV shows, movies, and music full of bad words and bad attitudes, those will take root in your heart. They will be what you think and talk about.

That’s why it’s important to guard your mind against garbage. Instead fill it with things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. That may be difficult, but you can do it. Ahead of time, find out about the movies you are going to watch, the games you will play, and the music you will listen to. That way you can make a good choice based on what you’ve learned rather than going with what’s popular.

God isn’t trying to ruin your fun with a list of things you can’t watch or do. He’s encouraging you to make wise choices to fill your mind with things that will help you focus on your real purpose for being here—getting to know Jesus and helping others know him too.

For You

Write the key words from Philippians 4:8 on an index card. As you watch a TV show or listen to music, use the words as a checklist to rate what you are seeing or hearing. If it falls short, look for a better choice.

Answer: c

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.   Philippians 4:8

(The Whole Story: Philippians 4:6-9)