Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
From DSC:
Three brief reflections here:
- What we think about is important. I know I need the LORD’s help here for sure; but I’m trying to watch what I’m thinking about. The college where I am an adjunct faculty member, Calvin College, seeks to impact the hearts and minds of our students. The mind involves what we think about. As such, the Apostle Paul gives us some solid advice here.
- There is power in ideas — for good, or for ill.
- Philippians 4:8 is my alma mater’s motto (i.e., Northwestern University) — though I’m sorry to say that Northwestern has drifted far from its original roots and its original worldviews. The current emphasis at NU is to think about oneself — look out for #1 has become their new motto throughout the last few decades. That type of motto asks:
- How much money will you be able to make? What will your salary be?
- How many people report will be reporting to you?
- Where will your office be?
- What kind of car will you be driving? What # in the series will it be?
- In which area of the city or suburbs will you be able to live?
(By the way, I’m still trying to unlearn that type of perspective and move more towards a 1 Peter 4:10 perspective: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.)