Meditating on the things of Philippians 4:8 is kind of like eating your vegetables and fruit. You know they are good for you but it is not as pleasurable as eating a juicy steak or an ice cream sundae. We would rather get caught up in thoughts about things to worry over and things not in our control, than thoughts of things that are good and holy.
This morning I found a story posted on the internet and attributed to author unknown. It illustrates our need to heed Paul’s call for a spiritually healthy diet of things that are true, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and other virtues that are praiseworthy.
An old man told his grandson, “My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, hatred, lies and pride. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, goodness, and truth.” The boy thought about it, and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?” The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.”
There is some truth to the statement, “You are what you eat.” Solomon wisely says in Proverbs 15:14, “The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.” What is your mind and heart consuming each day? In your mental food pyramid, of what does the largest portion of your planned diet consist? What are your thought choices?
Think about this spiritual truth. “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:5-6).
I love the directions given to us in Philippians chapter 4.
- Rejoice in the Lord always
- Let your gentleness be evident
- Be anxious for nothing
- And, meditate on these things . . .