I can over-think things and make myself miserable. Others can under-think and become irresponsible. These two steps can keep over and under thinkers on track.
1. Dwell on what's good in your life (Philippians 4:8-9).
What if we can't think of anything good? Usually we need to re-focus. But even when our life is at its worst, we can always dwell on these:
A. Our salvation (Romans 6:23).
B. Our knowledge that one day all
suffering will end (Revelation 21:4).
C. Scripture passages and songs that
give us hope and strength
(Colossians 3:16).
2. Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23).
Make sure that the influences in your life are uplifting. That includes:
A. Entertainment (TV, Movies, etc.) (Psalm 101:3).
B. Music (Ephesians 5:18-20).
C. Relationships- as much as it depends on you to choose the right companions (1 Corinthians 15:33).
D. Sleep and proper nutrition are also necessary for right thinking. (See Eat, Rest, Cry).
I'm thankful we serve a supernatural God who gives us practical ways to deal with life!
Each word linked in this devotion is linked to a 1-minute devotion that develops the truth in more detail.
Bible Study
Philippians 4:8: 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.
In this Bite Size Study, we're going to do something different. We're going to study the meaning of the Greek words used in Philippians 4:8 describing the type of things we should think about. I pray God gives you insight as you do this. At the bottom, I explain how you can use an online resource to do a word study of any verse.
True
Greek: alēthḗs
("what can't be hidden") stresses undeniable reality when something is fully tested, i.e. it will ultimately be shown to be fact (authentic).]
Noble
Greek: semnós
(an adjective derived from sébomai, "to revere, be in awe") – properly, what is august (dignified, has "gravitas"); weighty, deeply respected because viewed as majestic (having "gravity"); grave.
Right
Greek: díkaios
("righteous, just") describes what is in conformity to God's own being (His will, standard of rightness); hence "upright."
Pure
Greek: hagnós
(an adjective, which may derive from the word "holy,") – properly, pure (to the core); virginal (chaste, unadultered); pure inside and out; holy because uncontaminated (undefiled from sin), i.e. without spoilation even within (even down to the center of one's being); not mixed with guilt or anything condemnable.
Lovely
Greek: prosphilḗs
(an adjective, derived from prós, "extending toward" and philéō, "affectionate caring") – properly, worthy of personal affection; hence, dearly prized, i.e. worth the effort to have and embrace (used only in Phil 4:8).
Admirable
Greek: euphémos
well reported of, spoken in a kindly spirit, laudable, reputable.
Excellent
Greek: areté
goodness, a gracious act, virtue, uprightness.
Praiseworthy
Greek: épainos
(from epí, "on, fitting," which intensifies aínos, "praise") – properly, fitting (apt) praise, i.e. accurate acknowledgment (appropriate commendation, recognition); enthusiastic acknowledgment for what deserves praise.
All of these meanings from Bible Hub.
If you would like to do a word study, you can do it easily without a library of resources by using Bible Hub.
- Book mark this Entry Page.
- Type in any single verse in the top box and click the search.
- When the verse comes up, click the word "Greek" in the light blue band. This will bring up a list of each word in the passage.
- To find a definition, click the number in the far left column.
- I would suggest you start by studying the words that describe love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Remember that you must put each verse in separately to use this tool on Bible Hub.
copyright 2016, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com
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