Contemplation (Philippians 4:8)

What we meditate on and contemplate is the subject of this text.

1) The importance of the thought life

The importance of Paul's exhortation here comes from the great importance of the thought life in a person. We are often not what we think we are, but we are always what we think. We are the product of our thoughts. "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). If you do not control your thought life, you will not control your life. Feed material into your mind that produces evil thoughts and you will soon lose control of your life. Someone has said, "Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a destiny." It all begins in the thought life; therefore Paul's exhortations here about your thought life are very important exhortations.

2) The input for the thought life

Paul gives a helpful list of subjects to put into your mind, to contemplate. Follow this text and your thought life will honor God and benefit your life. 

a) First, Honest thoughts. "Whatsoever things are true... honest" (Philippians 4:8). Keep untruth out of your mind. Gossip, propaganda, and false religion needs to put in the trash can. 

b) Second, Holy thoughts. "Whatsoever things are just... pure" (Philippians 4:8). "Just" here means righteous. Holy thoughts keep the mind clean. A dirty mind is a sick mind and will defile you. 

c) Third, Harmonious thoughts. "Lovely" (Philippians 4:8). The meaning of the word translated "lovely" involves harmony. A person needs to have thoughts that promote harmony instead of unnecessary division and schism. 

d) Fourth, Happy thoughts. "Whatsoever things are of good report" (Philippians 4:8). These are not discouraging, depressing thoughts. This does not mean to stick your head into the stand of unreality, but rather to fill your mind with happy thoughts. "Rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 4:4) will do that. 

e) Fifth, Healthy thoughts. "If there be any virtue" (Philippians 4:8). We speak here of the health of your spiritual life which is more important than the health of your physical body. Dirty books and magazines (things without virtue) do not stimulate healthy thoughts. 

f) Sixth, Heavenly thoughts. "If there be any praise" (Philippians 4:8). This should motivate thoughts of God Who is certainly most worthy of praise. Many things which we praise today are not worthy of praise and will not qualify for the "praise" in this text.