Thinking lovely thoughts sounds so serene and effortless. My mind immediately goes to being outside with the sun shining, a gentle breeze blowing, and my mind in a place without worries. It sounds wonderful. However, we all know that it is not a realistic 24/7 world. Troubles come, and ugliness is all around us. Therefore, when you read Philippians 4:8, you may get the directive to think about what is lovely and totally miss the mark of what Paul is teaching. That’s because our definition of lovely is not what the word means in this passage.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
In this verse, “lovely” does not mean only that which we view with our eyes, but it also includes what is dear and pleasing to us. Its focus is having an agreeable attitude with others. We are not to be sour or irritable. Thinking lovely starts with being lovely in our disposition. While there are days we feel irritable, it doesn’t make it right to deal with it by allowing it to spill out into our relationships. It is so important when we feel this way that we determine the root cause and deal with it by first taking it to God in prayer. He will help us sort through the real issues of our hearts.
When we have an irritable attitude, we seem to act as if we deserve to feel like we do. We justify our feelings instead of dealing with them or changing them. Sometimes we may be irritable because we are sick and don’t feel well, but that doesn’t make it right to lash out at others. Even in sickness, we can have a sweet attitude. It’s wrong to take our feelings out on others. Most of the time, we lash out because we feel they are not responding as we think they should. We want compassion, or sympathy, we want our desires met and on our terms. This attitude is selfish, and it is wrong. Paul speaks of this attitude in Philippians 2:21. Just as the Christians with Paul sought to do as they pleased rather than do what was best for the body of Christ, we, too, act this way when we are crabby or irritable.
Philippians 2:21 “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”
II Timothy 3:2a “For men shall be lovers of their own selves”
When we are irritable, we harm the cause of Christ. When we permit ourselves to act in a way that is cranky, we have decided that this part of my life is mine. We are denying the power of Christ to work in and through us. In Philippians 4:13, we are told, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We are to remember His words when tempted to allow our feelings to override what we know is right.
We are to go to the one who can help when we have irritable feelings. Psalm 147:4-5 teaches us He is great, and He understands. He knows us perfectly.
Psalm 147:4-5 “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
Sometimes, we make excuses and say, “That’s just the way I am, or I can’t help it.” When we have this attitude, we have forgotten or never really believed in the greatness of our God. A God who is the creator of everything can help us control our attitudes and actions if we yield to Him.
Jerimiah 10:12 “He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.”
We must know God’s word and practice what we believe. True belief will bring obedience, and James teaches us that if we know what to do but don’t do it, then we have sinned. God’s word always has the answer to any feelings or problems we have. Knowing His word will keep us from sinning. Psalm 119:11 teaches us to memorize or hide His word in our hearts so that we won’t sin.
James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Will it take an effort to think lovely thoughts? Absolutely, but anything worthwhile takes effort. Getting up and going to work, sticking with a diet, or working out takes effort. Teaching our children, praying, going to church, or reading our Bible all take effort. We live in a world where self-discipline is at a minimum, but we always seem to get the things done that are important to us.
Too many times, we give ourselves permission to sin. We determine in our minds what is right and wrong. Subconsciously, we classify sins, and we don’t equate being crabby or irritable as a sin against God, but all sin is a sin against God. We think negatively, envying, worrying, or allowing our insecurities to rule. We must be proactive to be a lovely person and think lovely thoughts. We must choose positive over negative, kindness over envy, faith over worry, and confidence in God over insecurities. It is our choice. It’s a matter of loving God enough to be obedient. God never gives a command without giving us the ability to do it. It is up to us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to accomplish His will. We are to think lovely thoughts that will be revealed in our actions.
