What’s On Your Mind?

“What’s on your mind,” is the first question you see when you log onto your facebook page?

You are provided with a convenient box to post what you want to share. However, there are some options. You can post something public for everyone to see. Or you can post a thought that only those on your friends’ list will see. Or you can exclude certain friends from seeing what you post.

Also, you can add a picture or a video. Use an emoji to express a specific feeling. Divulgence your current location. Share a link. Or tag certain people to see what’s on your mind. Posts vary from the serious to the silly to the absurd. Unfortunately, some posts border on the obscene or are vulgar to the core.

Occasionally someone gets in hot water because they reveal too much. These proverbs from the wise man might be applied, not only to spoken words but to what we write on social media.

Prov 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Prov 17:28
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Prov 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.

Prov 13:3
who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin

Prov 26:4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.

However, beyond the words themselves, they do reveal what’s on your mind.

The 19h century philosopher James A. Allen opined that “Thought and character are one,”. What we say, write and think, reveals who we really are.

What’s on your mind? Here are six questions to consider based on Paul’s advice from Philippians 4:8

(1) Is it True?

The Bible is the standard of Truth (Eph. 1:13). It serves as a basis for those things that our minds ought to dwell on. Furthermore, truth stands opposed to falsehood (Eph. 4:25), which is from the Devil himself (Jn. 8:44).

Proper thinking rests in things that are true. Think about things that are true about yourself, your family, your brethren, your friends, and your fellow man.

(2) Is it Honorable?

Honorable means noble, serious and dignified. It is thinking that is neither flippant, cheap, or tawdry. Honorable thinking rids itself of little, petty thoughts. If we are to engage our lives in noble deeds, we must begin with noble thoughts.

(3) Is it Just?

The word “just” refers to that which is fair and right both to God and to man. Certainly, life is filled with injustices and inequities. But there’s no value in dwelling on them.

We also would do well to focus our minds on dealing justly with others. Revenge, evil scheming, and plotting to get even will consume our souls and soon fill our minds with unjust thoughts.

(4) Is it Pure?

The word “pure” means clean or free from defilement. It is from the same root word translated as “saint”.

Paul admonished Timothy, “keep yourself pure” (I Tim. 5:22). Purity of life begins in the heart by thinking pure thoughts. Conversely, by thinking impure thoughts, we will produce a defiled character and ungodly actions

Reading salacious literature, watching sexually explicit movies, and pouring over internet porn will defile the heart and fill the mind with impurity.

(5) Is it Lovely?

This word means “attractive, winsome, pleasing, and amiable.” The Christian’s character should reflect loveliness. An old expression that is lost in today’s culture says, ” pretty is as pretty does.” More important than physical beauty is spiritual beauty. Such loveliness of character originates in the mind.

Lovely thinking dwells on kindness, forgiveness, sympathy, forbearance, tenderness, and love.

(6) Is it Commendable?

Other versions translate these words as “good report,” “good repute,” and “admirable.” In other words, think about the things that are well-sounding, appealing, and gracious. Look for the good in life. Think about the good in life. And share the good that you see with others.