It Starts Small

⁸ 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. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

Direct your thoughts and don’t let them direct you

This passage passionately urges believers to seize control over the direction of their thoughts rather than becoming victims of them. You hold the power to choose your thoughts. Refuse to let any stray idea invade your mind. Do not let it dominate your spirit. How can we achieve this empowering control? What actions can we take? Temptations, worries, and those insidious negative thoughts—like whispers of gossip, judgmental attitudes, or the lure of pride—intrude upon our consciousness. How do we respond to these mental intrusions?

We are to meditate on positive things that will enrich our spirit instead of tempting us.

²³ Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23

It is crucial to consider the thoughts that enter your mind, for what you allow in will profoundly influence you. Each autumn, the majestic bull moose engage in fierce battles. During mating season, they vie for dominance and the chance to reign supreme. The most formidable bull, emerging victorious from these intense confrontations, secures the affection of the female. Witnessing these magnificent creatures charging at one another is both awe-inspiring and exhilarating, as they collide with a deafening impact. Armed with their impressive antlers, they each wield powerful weapons, yet many succumb to defeat when their antlers shatter. Ultimately, it is the mightiest moose, possessing the strongest antlers, that prevails. Though these breathtaking battles seem to transpire in the fall, the true combat is established in spring. The moose that thrives on the finest diet will surely excel. It garners optimal nourishment during this pivotal season. This moose will undoubtedly emerge triumphant come autumn.

Our spiritual battle against temptation resonates deeply within us. When you nourish your mind with uplifting spiritual sustenance, your thoughts will gravitate towards the divine. This makes you resilient against the lures of temptation. The renewed version of you will flourish with strength and vitality. Meanwhile, the weaker, fleshly part will diminish. It will fade away. On the other hand, if you indulge your mind with spiritual junk food, you will become consumed by these thoughts. They will make you more vulnerable to temptation. The carnal part of you will surge in strength, while your renewed self fades into the shadows.

Some electrifying sources of inspiration are the profound Bible verses that speak to our hearts. Uplifting Christian songs ignite our spirits. The incredible biographies of believers reveal triumph through faith. We can also meditate on the beautiful testimonies of fellow believers. We can reflect on the wondrous deeds God has performed in our lives. We can be immensely thankful for the countless blessings.

Some of the darker aspects of our society can ignite a firestorm of intrigue. These aspects include gossip, scandals, and the sensationalism of celebrity news. They also involve the troubling allure of immoral movies and novels. While the world is captivated by salacious tales and notorious misdeeds, it is a heartbreaking truth that acts of virtue and genuine goodness often languish in the shadows. These acts remain overshadowed and underappreciated.

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Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to dwell on these things?
• Why are we to dwell on these things?
• How might this affect our joy and thanksgiving?
• What kind of specific things can you think of that fit into this category?
• What are some examples of unhealthy things we shouldn’t spend time thinking about?
• Why does Paul give himself as an example to follow? Isn’t Christ our only example?

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