Thinking Affects Everything: Virtue

Continuing my study on Philippians 4:8. 

I wonder if I focus on just one aspect of Philippians 4:8 until it becomes habit, how would it effect my life? And what impact would it have if I focused on the entire list? But one at a time for right now. Here are some thoughts on, "virtue".

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Meditate. Think on. Ponder.

Take an Inventory. 

Whatever things —if there is any virtue.

If there is any virtue.

Virtue: Used of the human mind and in an ethical sense, it denotes: any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity.

As I read this definition, I had to stop and think of what our nation, our society considers moral excellence, modest, and pure to actually mean. If I based my level of virtue on societies definitions.......there is a very real and vast difference between societies definitions and Gods. 

Just looking back over the past few years at TV ad and movies, you can see a continual progression away from God and the acceptance of sin and fulfilling desires, no matter the consequences. 

If there is any virtue. 

Moral excellence. Modesty. Purity. All based on God's standard. 

Virtue, God's virtue, is the filter which I need to evaluate each and everything that I allow to enter my mind. TV, radio, internet, books, and even conversations with others....... if that is any virtue—think on these things. 

Thinking affects everything. If I am feeding my mind with immodesty, and immoral ideals, than my actions will reflect that. And the same is true for the opposite. The more things of virtue I focus on—the more God-like my attitude, actions, thoughts and words will be. 

Virtue. Do the things which I am pondering and thinking about pass the "virtue test"? If not, am I wiling to change the things I watch, read, listen to? 

I wonder, if each of us would begin pondering and thinking about things that are of virtue, would we turn off the TV more? Would we turn off the radio more?

Think on these things.....

what are you thinking about?