Don’t Worry… Be Happy
Fixing Our Thoughts – Part VII

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:1-8 NLT

Key Verse: Philippians 4:8 NLT
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

After the Apostle Paul gave instructions in Philippians 4:4-7 on how to enjoy God’s perfect peace in our lives, he turns to “one final thing”.

Usually, we use that phrase when we want to leave those listening to us with an important piece of information. We might say, “if you forget everything else, do not forget this final thing.”

The Apostle continues in Philippians 4:8 NLT by listing six things to guide what we fix our thoughts upon: truth, honor, righteousness, purity, loving, and admirable things.

We all would have to admit we have failed to keep these things as guides for what we watch on TV and what we do on our computers and smartphones.

The wrap up for the Apostle was, “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise”. How different would our spiritual lives be if we truly followed these guidelines for what we allow to fill our minds?

As I said in yesterday’s devotional, no matter how close we live to these guidelines, the devil is still going to bring temptations into our minds. However, we too often invite trouble by fixing our minds on the wrong things; things that are not excellent or worthy of praise!

I learned a long time ago that when I allow myself to focus on the wrong things, I give the evil one ammunition to use on me later in the form of temptations. I decided many years ago that I would not allow my mind to focus on the sensual. Those few moments of mental pleasure often result in failure during moments of temptation.

I realized a long time ago that God helps us when we help ourselves in certain areas. There are some things that only God can help me with, however there are some things that I have control over such as the things upon which I fix my mind.

Take a moment and make a commitment to God that you will no longer fix your mind on things that weaken your walk with God.

Most of us will find ourselves mindlessly scrolling through Facebook or watching whatever comes on TV. It is easy to simply “check out” and live in a fantasy world for a while. However, too often that kind of thinking gives the devil a foothold in our lives.

Let’s determine to do less “mindless” behaviors and make more “mindful” decisions on what we allow our minds to focus. The number of spiritual victories is often dependent on the number of disciplines we show in our lives.

You know where your weaknesses are in your walk with the Lord. Take time to set up some disciplines that help you strengthen your weak areas.

Father, grant me wisdom and strength to do my part to live my life in victory. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.