PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
In the name + of Jesus.
When you hear someone ask, “What are you thinking?” it is usually a statement of disbelief or a rebuke. I can give you an example from my youth. I was assigned to mow the lawn in my parents' back yard. I can tell you what my Dad witnessed, and then I will explain myself. My Dad was tilling the garden and looked up just in time to see me hit a clothesline pole dead on with the riding lawnmower, leaving a pole-shaped dent in the front of it. Now, my Dad never actually said the words, “What were you thinking?”, but the body language said it for him. Now, what was I thinking? I was thinking that I could get just a little bit closer to the clothesline pole before I drove around it. But then I popped the clutch on the lawnmower which jolted me forward from 12 inches away. So, that's what I was thinking; and I was wrong.
Parents tend to ask that question of their children because children have not gained enough experience to recognize the consequences of their actions before it is too late. Parents want their children to think things all the way through before they act. So, when they mess up, parents can't help but ask the chastising question: “What were you thinking?!”
St. Paul tells Christians what we are supposed to be thinking. He writes, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9) You have been renewed in your minds because you have been converted to Christ. In becoming Christians, the Lord did not merely wipe the slate clean concerning the guilt of your sins. More than that, he worked repentance in you, which is literally a changing of your mind. You now believe that sin is evil, and you are convinced that God's will is always good. This is why St. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) Your conversion to Christ changes your mind so that you are focused on God and heavenly things rather than on worldly and wicked things. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8)—these are the things you are to be thinking.
You, dear people, are the creation of God. Mankind was made according to God's good pleasure, in God's image, and for God's glory. Since our whole being—body and soul, heart and mind—is God's creation, our whole being is to be dedicated to God and his word. Jesus declared this to be the first and greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) That means that not only what we do with our mouths, hands, and bodies is to be in line with God's word, but even what we think. For God is the one “who tests the heart and the mind.” (Jeremiah 11:20)
So, what are you thinking? Our actions betray that our thoughts and motives are not always honorable, pure, or commendable. Actions spring forth from thoughts. We often mull over our sins before we act on them. We daydream about our sins, make plans for them, and then deliberately carry them out. For example, no one commits adultery by accident. Acts of revenge are calculated. People who visit seedy websites have to make a few clicks on their computer or phone before they get to the website they should not be looking at. Actions spring forth from thoughts.
So, what are you thinking? Are you thinking that it is frightening that you have no secrets before God? Are you angry that God should know your mind and heart? Are you wishing that you should have some privacy where not even God is allowed in?
What are you thinking? Whatever it is, God knows it. He knows the sins you are drawn to. He knows if you are haunted by secret shame and burdened by hidden guilt. He knows if you harbor grudges, are consumed with jealousy, or are bitter toward certain people. You might be able to convince others that you are a good person because you know how to behave in front of them. But God reveals the secrets of your mind. They are not honorable, pure, and lovely. Often, they are not even nice, but rather dark and cruel. Repent.
Even though God knows all things about you, he is not disgusted by you. King David marvels at this and asks, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” (Psalm 8:3-6) You are still God's creation, and you are still loved by him. The Lord is mindful of you. And yes, he knows your sins. He knows your struggles. He knows your weaknesses. And he still loves you. Therefore, he has acted to save you.
What was said of mankind by David is all the more true for Jesus. What was God the Son thinking when he made himself a little lower than the angels? He was thinking of you. Jesus put his mind to saving you from death and hell, from sin and shame. Throughout his life, Jesus was thinking what was honorable, pure, and commendable—completely focused on the will of his Father. Jesus was thinking of what was just; he knows that sin cannot be ignored. So, he made himself the guilty one on your behalf. Jesus was thinking of what was commendable, that the righteous one would be condemned and killed for rebels. Jesus was thinking what was true. He knew that the life of God the Son was sufficient payment for the lives of all mankind.
After Jesus rose from the dead, his fearful disciples were huddled together. They must have wondered what they would say to Jesus if they should see him risen. And what would Jesus say to them since they had fled and failed him? What would he be thinking? Jesus appeared and answered, “Peace be with you.” He thinks in terms of mercy, peace, and forgiveness. And he does so with you, too. He has taken away your sins. He does not regret the payment, and he does not hold a grudge against those who still struggle and stumble. Although he made himself a little lower than the heavenly beings, now he is crowned with glory and honor. All things have been put under his feet. Therefore, when Jesus decrees that you are forgiven, there is no higher power that can refute his word. He has won your salvation. He desires you to be saved. He longs for you to hear his word and to rejoice in his grace. That is what he is thinking, and he tells you so.
And now to you who have been saved, to you who have been “renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23), the Lord encourages you: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2) Although you are still in the world, you have been redeemed out of the world. Your citizenship is in the kingdom of God. And you know that whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy is from God. In these things we find life, peace, joy, comfort, hope, and salvation. St. Paul urges you to put your minds to these things.
As was mentioned earlier, it is still true: Actions spring forth from thoughts. That is why Paul adds, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9) Our words and actions flow out of our heart and mind. Rather than give temptations a place to dwell in our minds and daydream about sinful pleasures, we focus our thoughts on what is honorable, pure, and commendable. Temptations will never go away, but they do not need to be welcomed guests. Just because you are tempted, it does not mean you have to give in to it. When temptations come, pray against them. Flee to godly thoughts. Ponder God's Commandments. Cling to God's mercy. Call upon God for strength. Whoever practices these things will surely have God's peace with him and will overcome the evil one.
What are you thinking? That God has been most merciful to us despite our sins and weaknesses, and therefore we can be merciful to others despite their faults. That God has been gracious to us in our blessings, and therefore we do not have to envy anyone of theirs. That God has revealed what is good, and therefore we can strive after an honest and honorable life even if others will not and mock us if we do. That God has set us apart for his glory both in humbly serving him now and in being glorified by him later.
To continue in this Christian faith, keep your minds focused on Christ. For Christ is the personification of what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. “Practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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