Think On These Things (Pt 2)

..Whatever is just, whatever is pure,..

In our first study of the characteristics of things we are instructed to think on, the first two were: “things that are true and honorable“. We became aware of the need to start finding those things in our lives through scripture and apply them in our thoughts. We remember that truths such as Scripture, Salvation and our eternity with God came as some of the first thoughts to meditate upon. We know that honorable things are such that we change our thinking to align with Christ and what He wants for our lives and to think thoughtfully on how we can go about doing that. In this second of five parts we begin to think on whatever is just and whatever is pure.

Our second characteristics study: Just and Pure

Just / Righteous

We look closer now on those words right before Just and Pure, which are: “Whatever is..”. “Whatever is”, is a pretty big phrase and could encompass a very broad area of thought. So what does he mean when he says “Whatever is Just“? A word study finds that the Greek word is “dikaios” (Strong’s Concordance G1342) and is used 33 times in the bible. It also means Righteous and that definition is: “One who is upright, virtuous, keeping the commands of God. One who is used of Him and whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God.” I would say that this is a very broad explanation as to “Whatever is”!

So when we ask ourselves to think on Whatever is Just and Righteous, where does scripture point us? Perhaps it’s not just Whatever, but more aptly “Whomever”, is where our thoughts should be! My thoughts immediately go to the only One who is Righteous and Just: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit!

I might phrase it this way: “Think on whatever are characteristics of the Just and Righteous God. Meditate on who He is and what He has done, is doing and will do in our lives. Think on the ways that we should honor, worship and praise Him.”

Here are some references we can reflect upon when thinking on Him:
God the Father: John 17:25, 1 John 1:9, Rev. 16:5
God the Son: Matthew 3:16-17, 1 John 2:1, 29, 3:7
God the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:10, 14-17

What are some other ways to think on what is Just? I’d like to hear your thoughts as well.

Pure

Beginning our search on what is “Pure”, we see the word in Greek as “hagnos“. (Strong’s Concordance G53). When I think of “Pure”, I think about what it means to be innocent, modest, perfect, chaste, clean, and holy. I have listed a few scriptures below that help me in forming thoughts as to what is “hagnos” when temptation comes my way.

References to apply to the meaning of Pure:
Wisdom from Him: James 3:17
Our hope in Him: 1 John 3:3
Our conduct in Him: 1 Peter 3:2

I think it important to allow our minds to ponder what examples we see in scripture on what is “Just and Pure”. We should cling to those things when the battle for our minds begins.

How I Try To Stop Stinkin’ Thinkin’: Mike Wills

Here are my tips when thinking of “Pure”:
• I try and focus on things like the innocent baby Jesus in the arms of Mary and why He came. (Innocent)
• I remember how Jesus lived a pure life having never sinned. He lived modestly and worked as a carpenter in a small village. Certainly not how the world would view a savior or King! He did this and set the example for all of us. (Perfect, Innocent)
• I think most importantly I see the perfect, sinless and Holy Lamb of God dying for my sins and raising again. He paid the price for me so that I can be with him forever. He offered salvation to any who would simply receive it and all I had to do was repent, believe and confess.(Holy)

Thinking on the purity of the Son of God and what He did for me is the quickest way to thwart an attack of the devil. It changes my perspective immediately and I’m sure that when you are confronted with the temptation of Stinkin’ Thinkin’ that you too will see a remarkable difference when you think on the purity of Christ.

There are many more examples that I could site here, but I think it important to allow our minds to ponder what examples we see in scripture on what is “Just and Pure”. We should cling to those things when the battle for our minds begins.

Part three of our study builds on the first two parts as we begin to think on “Whatever is lovely and whatever is commendable”. Be in prayer over this next part and ask God to open your eyes to what He is saying.