Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, 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 any praise, think on these things.

— Philippians 4:8

In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us that we must focus our thoughts on positive things. He tells us that human life is forwarded by thinking on things which are noble.

One of the great tragedies now seen in modern times is that through their separation from God, most in the media continually fill our minds with the very antithesis of all of these things. What we see on television and in most movies and novels today, is not that which is lovely. We see that which is unjust, unfair, and, ungodly; that which is unkind, untrue; that which is unlovely, crass, and ghastly; that which us horrible and unclean and vile, all set forth constantly before our minds and poured into our brains through the gates of the eyes and ears in the name of realism.

It is true that the gutter is real. It is equally true that the gutter is neither the only reality nor the highest reality. Life is ennobled by thinking on things that are above. Set your thoughts on those things that are above, on things that are lovely, and true, of good report and praise.

Life is made ignoble by fixing our minds on that which is crass and unclean and impure. If we would know real mental health and happiness, it is going to involve our thinking on the things that are above.

Question to ponder:
How do we keep our minds focused as much as possible on the things of God?