It is difficult to keep our attention always on things that are true, honorable, lovely, just, pure, excellent, and praiseworthy. Just as it is also hard to keep our focus on Jesus. There is so much noise all around us. How can we focus on anything at all? Following the advice of Philippians 4:8 requires a disciplined and determined mind, like any other endeavor. Completing any schooling or training requires that we block out distractions and focus on the learning at hand. This isn’t easy but we do it for the end reward.
Accomplishing given tasks and day to day work require a disciplined commitment to focus on what we are doing and not be distracted by pearls or squirrels. The ability to apply our self to what is most important in the moment comes with self-training. It is like driving a car. You must be able to focus on safely driving and not allow distractions to interfere with your driving. Failure to do so may result in a horrific accident.
When our thinking is dominated by unhealthy, unspiritual, and un-heavenly things, the eventual results are bad attitudes, weakened-witness, diminishing love, un-Christlike behavior, and a weakened ability to think at all about things that are praiseworthy, true, just, pure, lovely, excellent, and honorable. How do we discipline ourselves? We practice and pray. Practice thinking about these things. Pray for the Holy Spirit to show us these things. Practice and practice until it becomes a heavenly habit. Because thinking about these things is right, godly, healthy, excellent, lovely, pure, and true.