Filling My Mind

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. —Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)

These verses have guided me for the last couple of years. I used them as a measuring tool for what I saw with my eyes and what I listened to with my ears. If the movie, television show, music, or whatever form of media didn’t meet the standards in this verse, then I chose not to watch or listen.

Does this mean that I do not watch action adventure movies with my husband? No, it does not. In fact, we recently watched the Jason Bourne trilogy. However, the above verses give me guidelines to follow. I also believe that because I am careful about what I see and hear, I am more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. If something seems like it is good, but the Holy Spirit is telling me otherwise, I will obey the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Do not get me wrong! Before you start thinking that I am perfect or that I am holier than thou, hear me out. I have stumbled. I have fallen into traps. I have found myself surfing the cable channels and landing on a reality television show that is far from being true, noble, reputable, authentic, or gracious. It is compelling, but not in a God-honoring way. When I realize that I have made a mistake, I go to the Lord and repent (which simply means that I tell Him how I screwed up, ask Him for forgiveness, and turn away from the mistake). When I ask Him for forgiveness, I receive it because of what Jesus did on the cross over 2000 years ago. I often confess 1 John 1:9 (NKJV): “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I believe that by filling my mind with things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, and beautiful, I am setting myself up to be a praise-filled person instead of someone who is a complainer and grumbler. Going through life thanking God for everything, including the small things, shifts your perspective and allows you to walk in peace, joy, and righteousness.

I challenge you today to look at the words that are coming out of your mouth. Are you complaining about being stuck in traffic? Are you complaining about how slow the cashier is at the grocery store? Are you complaining about your job? Instead of complaining, turn those complaints into praise. Thank God for the extra time alone in your car to fellowship with Him. Thank him that you can afford food. Thank God that you have a job. If you do this, you will see more joy and peace in your life!