It was April 1, 1975, in a small college chapel in Bronxville, New York, when I turned my life over to Christ. Within a couple of weeks, I knew I had received more than the gift of eternal salvation. Among my new gifts was a wonderful peace in my heart. And I found I had a deep hunger to read God’s Word, the Bible. These gifts are still changing my life 49 years later. 

Because I study God’s living Word nearly every day, I am learning to think like Jesus. Of course, I still struggle at times. But overall I have learned to live in His peace, because I have changed the way I think. This is important, because “…as [a person] thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7).

Here’s how to think in new ways: 

…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, NASB 1995).

Thinking about me

When I think in true, honorable and right [you can add the rest of the list here] ways about myself, I can see myself as Jesus does. It’s mind-boggling! But the truth is, I am His forever. He has honored me, seating me with Him in heavenly places. He has made me right with Him; my sinful rebellion is washed away. I am pure and lovely in His sight. He has given me His own good name. His Spirit lives in me and gives me power to be virtuous, excellent, worthy of commendation.¹

Thinking, or dwelling, on these truths, I can leave old patterns of behavior behind. I have new confidence. I am a holy woman, and in His strength I act that way. 

Thinking about you

When I think in true, honorable and right ways about you, dear reader, I see you as God’s image-bearer. I treat you with awe and respect. You are His amazing creation, full of potential. Sin has stained all of us. But those of us who put our faith in Jesus are washed and clothed with His purity. You can be, too, if you have not been already.

Recently a fellow ministry worker began to irritate me. I was thinking about this when Philippians 4:8 came into my mind. I asked myself, “How does Philippians 4:8 apply here?” I remembered this person’s faithful life, and my attitude immediately changed. I was thankful!

To the point of death on a cross, Jesus showed us that we are to think more highly of others than of ourselves. Philippians 4:8 helps us to do that. Yes, we are to think of our own interests, but of others’ interests also.² How could we show our value of others more than by sharing Jesus’ saving love with them? 

Thinking about life

When I think in true, honorable and right ways about my circumstances, I view my life from an eternal perspective. I can face whatever is happening to me with prayer and thanksgiving. In my 49 years of following Jesus, I can say that the most difficult things that have happened to me have taught me the deepest, most precious lessons³ about His character. My Lord knows why even when I don’t, and I can trust Him.

Thinking on the truth also helps me face temptations more wisely. I tend to try to push tempting thoughts down into the recesses of my mind in a vain effort to forget them. But, when I face temptations with the truth, I see them as what they are – foolish, counterfeit ideas the enemy is using to divide me from those I truly love, to distract me from my purpose, or to discourage or defeat me. It’s good to unmask the enemy!

When we read Philippians 4:8 in context, we see a close connection with the verses that come before and after it.⁴ Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us to pray about everything, with thanksgiving. When we do this, “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” 

The following verse, Philippians 4:9, urges us to keep practicing the things the author, the apostle Paul, was modeling, which would include thankful prayer and truthful thinking. Then, “the God of peace will be with you.”

Ah, peace! I’ll take it! Won’t you?

Pray with me?

Lord, You died for every lousy thought, every bad reaction, every evil thing that surfaces in our lives. You teach us to replace the lies we have believed with truth from Your Word about ourselves, others, our lives, and even about You. Thank You for the peace that comes from Your Spirit, and from living this way — focused on the true, pure, lovely and right. We worship You: the truest, purest and most honorable of all.

P.S. May I recommend my Scripture memory song for Philippians 4:8? 🙂

¹John 1:12, Ephesians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Song 4:7, Isaiah 43:1, Galatians 5:22-23 ²Philippians 2:3-8 ³See my earlier posts: His Power and Glory Resting on Me and My Lifeline in the Sea of Trials ⁴The Expositor’s Greek Testament: The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians by the Rev. H.A.A. Kennedy, D.Sc., 1897, reprinted 1979, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Top photo by Rosie Sun on Unsplash; Bible photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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If you haven’t yet come to know Jesus, please don’t wait to investigate His love for you. Read About “The Nearness of God” or see everyperson.com for more information. You can also read more about my story of coming to faith in Christ in: How My Song Began.