233 Philippians: Think—Do
We have been given the incredible offer by God to not only find forgiveness, but to experience transformation. We have been made different to make a difference.
How is this transformation done? Romans 12:2 gives us a hint. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformation starts in the mind.
Paul teaches the same thing in Philippians 4:8-9. “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.Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice (DO). And the God of peace will be with you.”
THINK—DO. According these verses, the transformed life begins on the inside with what you think. Your outward action – that which you do – is an overflow of that. THINK—DO.
Cognitive psychology has confirmed what the Scriptures have taught and from that study, have identified two “laws.”
1. The Law of Cognition: You are what you think.
Another way to say it is: the way you think creates your attitudes, shapes your emotions, and governs your behavior.
Using trees as an illustration, Jesus taught that if the inner life (what you can’t see) is healthy, the outer display (the fruit—that which you can see) will be healthy also. If the stream of your thoughts is “true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute” then you will be able to “do” or “put into practice” that which is delightfully different.
By the same token, if the inner life, the unseen life of a person is unhealthy—if the stream of thoughts is misguided, false, impure or ugly—then that will become evident as well. The state of your inner life will inevitably leak out.
2. The Law of Exposure: Your mind will think most about what it is exposed to.
What repeatedly enters your mind eventually shapes your thinking and ultimately expresses itself in your behavior. It’s like creating mental ruts in our brains—pathways worn deep by repeated patterns of thought.
These ruts can be destructive, like resentment, complaint, negativity, worry, or lust. Or they can be life-giving, “whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely,” etc.
How can you change the ruts you’re in?
Catch the negative or untrue thought.
Replace it with that which is true and contstructive.
Guard your mind by being careful about what you expose yourself to.
Build structures that can help you create new ruts, such as worship, Scripture reading, and community.
Text: Philippians 4:8-9; Romans 12:2
Originally recorded on January 25, 2009, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN