Set Your Mind On Right Things

Set Your Mind on Right Things

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...

Introduction: Minds are always set on some thing. It is important what a man thinks of...He should always set his mind on fine things.

1. Things that are true - Many things in the world are deceptive. they promise what they can never perform. They offer , but do not deliver. Man should set his mind on things which he can rely, things which will not fail him or let him down.

2. Things that are honest - Honorable, venerable, worthy, that which has the dignity of holiness -
There are things in the world which are flippant and cheap - attractive to the light minded, but the Christian must set his mind on the great, serious and dignified.

3. Things that are just - The righteous or just man is the man who gives to men and to God their due. Some set minds on pleasure, comfort, easy things, and easy ways, but the Christians thoughts are on duty to God and duty to man.

4. Things that are pure - That which is morally pure, undefiled, things that have been cleansed and fit to be brought into the presence of God and used in service of God. This world is full of things that are sordid, shabby, soiled and smutty. Many men get their minds on such a state that it soils everything of which it thinks - The Christian thoughts are to be so clean that they can stand the scrutiny and observing eye of God.

5. Things which are lovely - Things that are attractive, winsome, that which calls forth love. There are those whose minds are so set on vengeance and punishment, that they call forth bitterness and fear in others. There are those whose minds are so set on criticism and rebuke that they call forth resentment in others. The mind of the Christian is set on the lovely things: kindness, sympathy, forbearance, love so that the Christian is such a winsome person that to see him is to love him.

6. Things of good report - gracious, high toned, whatever has a good name, fair speaking, the things that are fit for God to hear - There are ugly words, false words, impure words, and far too many in this world.

7. Things of Virtue - Excellence of all things - could describe the ground of a field. Excellence of a tool for its purpose. Physical excellence of an animal. Excellence of the courage of a solider - the virtue of a man = "Think of your past life at its highest" to spur you on to new heights of the Christian way of life - The world has its impurities and degradation, but it also has its nobilities and chivalrous and it is of the high things that the Christian must think.

8. Things of Praise - In a sense the Christian should never think of the praise of men, but in another sense it is true that every good man is moved and uplifted by the praise of good men. The Christian should live in such a way that he will not desire or seek the praise of men, nor will foolishly despise the praise of men whose praise is a thing to be desired. Not praise of men, but Praise of GOD!