Think on These Things
Focusing thoughts on what is good, true, and beautiful shapes character and perspective.
Paul instructs, 'Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.' We become what we think about. This teaching provides positive criteria for mental content, countering the negativity that fills modern media. Deliberate focus on the good is spiritual discipline. Verse 9 supplies the missing half — “put it into practice.” Paul pairs the thinking list with a doing command. Philippians 4:8 is a mental diet prescription—consume truth, beauty, and goodness for spiritual health.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Dallas Willard taught that 'thinking is the activity of looking for what is not yet seen, making it visible' through focus and attention.
Epistle to the Philippians