The Philippians 4:8 "Detox"

Combining several good translations, Philippians 4:8 tells us to think, dwell, and meditate on those things which are:

True, noble, honorable, venerable, honest, worthy of respect, right, just, fair, righteous, pure, lovely, admirable, commendable, of good repute, of good report, excellent, virtuous, morally excellent, precious, acceptable, praiseworthy.

This isn’t “positive thinking.” It doesn’t mean we can think things into reality. 

It means that the focus of our thoughts creates our attitudes—bad or good.

For example, the other day I was obsessively pondering a sad relationship in my life and I started acting irritable toward my husband. The problem wasn’t my husband, nor was it the sad relationship I was pondering. The problem was my attitude which was shaped by my negative thoughts.

I needed a “Philippians 4:8 detox.” So I apologized to my husband and deliberately focused on the good things in my life. I didn’t think away the sad stuff. I just quit focusing on it. 

That’s what a Philippians 4:8 detox does: it changes our focus. And when we know Christ, we always have wonderful things to ponder.

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Consider these additional Scriptures.

When things get tough, we remember that a “great cloud” of Christians have overcome the difficulties of this world and we focus on Jesus, our victorious Lord:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

We must take captive any thoughts that deny the joy we have in Christ:

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

We don’t deny our problems. We find joy by taking our problems to the Lord and gratefully remembering His kindness to us:

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Two verses before our Philippians 4:8 detox verse we find this command which is similar to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

See Think About It for more thoughts on our "detox verse."

 
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