Thought determines character

Do you have a specific passage in Scripture to which you find yourself returning again and again? Currently mine is found in Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. In concluding his letter he has encouraged them to rejoice in the Lord and, should there be any anxiety, to take it to him in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 has been quoted by Christian believers almost as much as John 3:16. But it is the following verse, verse eight, that I want to discuss. Here he encourages his Christian friends to set their minds on that which is true, noble, upright, and pure – “everything that we love and admire” is how the New Jerusalem Bible puts it. We are to fill our minds with that which is pure and good.
       I am convinced that ultimately we speak from our heart. The lips do the work, but it’s the heart that speaks. While guarding the tongue is good advice, the ultimate basis for what we say and do is the condition of the heart. Socrates is often quoted as having said,  “Speak, so that I may see you,” and it’s certainly true that what we genuinely are, is revealed by what we say. 
       So the problem lies behind its expression, and that is why Paul encourages us to feed the inner man, not simply do and say the appropriate thing. As we provide the body with good food and exercise to keep it healthy, we should provide the inner man with the nourishment necessary for a life that reflects the divine image. One does not need to go over once again the vulgar state of contemporary culture in order to establish our need of moral renewal as a country. I can still remember the impact of hearing Clark Gable say on screen, “Frankly Scarlet, I don’t give . . . get ready for this one . . I don’t give a damn! I’m not suggesting legal restrictions against questionable language or even public nudity; what I am arguing is that those of us who claim God as Father should follow Paul’s advice to fix our minds on that which is “true, noble, upright, and pure.” Not only will it change our conversational patterns, but it will help restore the beautiful purity of a heart cleansed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. 
       I am increasingly convinced that Satan is a lot more cunning than we thought he was. Even though defeated on Calvary, he still seems to be able to take a nation in the wrong direction while those of us whose citizenship is in heaven go along for the ride. Sin is a strong and deceptive force in the hands of our arch enemy. Let’s not let him into that sanctuary that we have given to God. Our thought life should be a family room for our time with God. Let’s fill it with all those things we actually love and admire so our Father will feel at home whenever he drops in.