Words To Dwell On

Finally, brethren, 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, dwell on these things.

 

Philippians 4:8

 

 

 

God chose words to reveal His character and salvation to His creation. Through words we understand Who He is, why we exist, and experience the deepest pleasures of life and love.

 

Whether written on paper, spoken, or thought words carry a unique power.

 

We are to dwell on whatever is worthy of awe and adoration, i.e., the sacred as opposed to the profane. In the Greek, logizomai (dwell on) means more than just entertaining thoughts; it means "to evaluate," "to consider," or "to calculate." 

 

As believers we are to consider the qualities that Paul lists in Philippians 4:8, and to dwell on their implications. The verb form calls for habitual discipline of the mind to set all thoughts on these spiritual virtues. 

Why the philosophical musings on words?

 

Whether written on paper, spoken, or thought words carry a unique power… from expressing what is in the inner most part of the heart to conveying important information in a business meeting.

The Bible leaves no doubt that our lives are the product of our thoughts; and words are apart of what shapes our thoughts. We see this clearly illustrated in Mark 7:20-23:

 

And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

Too many let the world (or Satan) come in and control their minds through their thoughts, which keep them form really using their mind. God created the mind and we need to use it... dream with it, be creative with it, and bring glory to God with it.

Are you in fact allowing words that you have been dwelling on from God's Word shape your thoughts?

 

When the heart is in the right place the mind is able to follow... likewise what is in the heart will be reflected in the mind through thoughts. A key to godly living is dwelling on words that proceed from the heart, which allow for godly thinking, as Solomon wisely observed:

 

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.  

 

The question that remains is, are the words which you dwell on daily honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute?