Personal Study on the Things Mentioned in Philippians 4:8-9

I woke up this morning with a thought in my head – what has been occupying my mind lately? Jesus reminded me of Philippians 4:8-9

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things. ⁹ The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9 WEB

The Apostle Paul encouraged us to think about true things, honourable things, just things, pure things, lovely things, good things, virtuous things worthy of praise. All good things. Verse 9 zoomed in on things we learn from, received, heard, and saw in Jesus.

Dwell on Jesus

The mind is a powerful thing. It affects our feelings, moods and behaviour. Heard of the phrase “garbage in garbage out”? It works on the mind too.

I want to do good. That’s the behaviour part. But it starts with the mind.

I want to feel good. That’s the feeling and mood part. It starts with the mind.

So, what are these things that my mind is supposed to think about? Things that are true, honourable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, of excellence and worthy of praise.

I thought about it for a while. What could Paul be referring to? Then it came to me.

Jesus is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, of good repute, of excellence and worthy of praise. Agree?

A Personal Application

I whispered a complaint to the Lord, “I’m not happy, why are things so difficult this week?“

I can sense the Lord’s gentle smile and this question popped into my head, “what comes out of you when you are squeezed?”

I am definitely feeling sour and bitter. So, when I’m squeezed, I am oozing bitterness and sourness.

But I am no ordinary person. I am a child of the Lord. I have the Holy Spirit with me. I shouldn’t be acting as if I do not have the greatest power living with me. If I am a lemon, when I am squeezed, I want sweet lemonade, not sour lemon juice.

I shared this thought with my brother and what he said was transformative.

He said that if I am a lemon, then lemon juice is the natural result. On my own, I could never produce lemonade, only lemon juice. But I have Jesus and He is the sugar factor. He can turn my lemon juice into lemonade.

As if by magic, my outlook on my situation changes for the better. I’m positive that reality will follow soon.

And this is Philippians 4:8-9 in action. When I thought about Jesus being my sugar factor, peace filled my heart.

We have come to the end of this post. I hope you have found what you are seeking. If not, keep looking. For Jesus said,

⁹ “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10 WEB

For God so loved you, He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for you. You are precious to Him.