What Does Philippians 4:8 in the Bible Mean?
Philippians 4:8 means that we should only think everything that is good. We must constantly renew our minds with God's words. You must think positively based on God's words instead of doubting in him or thinking of negative things (Romans 12:1-2). You must put away all kinds of evil thoughts including thoughts of hatred, pride, jealousy, discrimination, selfishness, and etc (Galatians 5:19-21). You should only say things that edify and build others up (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 4:29). You will say what you think. If you think of good things, you will say positive things out of your mouth. If you think of bad things, you will say negative things from your mouth (Luke 6:43-45). For example, when someone insult you and you feel offended, you will scold that person. Christians must strive to live in peace with everyone (Romans 14:17-18).
Even when your enemies offend you, you must not hate them. It is wrong to curse your enemies in your thoughts (Luke 6:27-36). Instead, you should bless your enemies in your thoughts, pray for their salvations and be kind to them. If you love your enemies, you will be rewarded in heaven (1 Peter 2:12). You should leave all vengeance to God instead of taking things into your own hands to take revenge on your enemies. You must keep your conscience clear of all kinds of evil thoughts. God gives everyone a conscience. Your conscience testifies whether you have sinned against God by giving you a feeling of guilt.
It is love that prompts us to do good to others. We are to love others as much as we love ourselves. This is the second most important commandment in the bible. Everything you do must be out of love and faith. If you love God, you will love others too. This includes being kind to non Christians and Christians. All the commandments of God sum up in the 2 commandments which are to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love others as much as you love yourself. If you love others, you will think nice thoughts towards them (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
When you think negatively, you open a doorway for the devil to come into your life to attack you (1 Peter 5:8). The devil can easily attack you by making you feel depressed and cause more problems for you when you have negative thoughts. The devil cannot win when you trust in God by holding onto the promises of God in the bible. The devil likes to see the children of God unhappy and not doing his will. You must never give the devil a foothold to attack you but always persevere in times of troubles (Ephesians 4:27). You should take all your problems as a test of faith. In this way, after you have recovered from your problem, you can also help others with the same problem.
You will act according to what you think so you must guard your thoughts. You must never let anything influence you so that you walk astray from Christ (Proverbs 4:23). You should not compromise with the world and follow its practices such as Zen meditation, Tai Qi, celebrate pagan festivals, and etc. Compromising and following the practices of the world will affect your thinking. Slowly, you will be convinced that what the pagan religion teaches is right and start to argue with the teachings in the bible.
Even when your enemies offend you, you must not hate them. It is wrong to curse your enemies in your thoughts (Luke 6:27-36). Instead, you should bless your enemies in your thoughts, pray for their salvations and be kind to them. If you love your enemies, you will be rewarded in heaven (1 Peter 2:12). You should leave all vengeance to God instead of taking things into your own hands to take revenge on your enemies. You must keep your conscience clear of all kinds of evil thoughts. God gives everyone a conscience. Your conscience testifies whether you have sinned against God by giving you a feeling of guilt.
It is love that prompts us to do good to others. We are to love others as much as we love ourselves. This is the second most important commandment in the bible. Everything you do must be out of love and faith. If you love God, you will love others too. This includes being kind to non Christians and Christians. All the commandments of God sum up in the 2 commandments which are to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love others as much as you love yourself. If you love others, you will think nice thoughts towards them (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
When you think negatively, you open a doorway for the devil to come into your life to attack you (1 Peter 5:8). The devil can easily attack you by making you feel depressed and cause more problems for you when you have negative thoughts. The devil cannot win when you trust in God by holding onto the promises of God in the bible. The devil likes to see the children of God unhappy and not doing his will. You must never give the devil a foothold to attack you but always persevere in times of troubles (Ephesians 4:27). You should take all your problems as a test of faith. In this way, after you have recovered from your problem, you can also help others with the same problem.
You will act according to what you think so you must guard your thoughts. You must never let anything influence you so that you walk astray from Christ (Proverbs 4:23). You should not compromise with the world and follow its practices such as Zen meditation, Tai Qi, celebrate pagan festivals, and etc. Compromising and following the practices of the world will affect your thinking. Slowly, you will be convinced that what the pagan religion teaches is right and start to argue with the teachings in the bible.
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