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.

Philippians 4:8, NIV

In Chapter 4 Paul, in addressing the church at Phillippi, is specifically addressing church leaders. Let us look at the context. He refers to Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement as “my fellow workers.”

They may have been in conflict with each other, because he tells them to “agree with each other in the Lord.” He also told them in verse 6 not to be anxious, but to pray, and in verse 7 that the peace of God would guard their hearts and minds.

Look at some of the words contained in verse 8:

• True- althetes, loving or speaking the truth.
• Noble- semnos, venerated for character.
• Right- dikaios, righteous in observing God’s commandments. 
• Pure- hagnos, free from carnality.
• Lovely- prophiles, acceptable or pleasing.
• Admirable- euphemos, uttering words of good omen.
• Excellent- arête, any particular moral excellence.
• Praiseworthy- epainos, anything commendable. (crosswalk.com)

This is more than “positive confession” or the denial of negative circumstances. It is choosing to occupy one’s mind with those things that are healthy and proactive rather than unhealthy and reactive.

What do you allow to go on in the space between your ears? You know, that four pounds of gray jelly, called a brain, that most complex of all human organs. What do you fantasize about, cogitate over, obsess or daydream about, or worry over. Do the things you think about resemble, in any way, the list above?  

How does what you allow to go on in your head impact you? Do you become what you think about? How much reality are we to embrace in our thought life, or do we go into denial when our reality is sufficiently painful? Sometimes reality is so painful that some enter into a fugue state. In other words, how does what you think about affect you in the long run?

Paul tells them in verse 9 not only to think about these things, but to put them into practice. So, the thinking traits of biblical leaders are to be turned into action, and not merely remain concepts. Biblical leaders allow orthodoxy to naturally lead to orthopraxy.  

Further, what role does prayer play on your thought life? The life of the mind is important. That said, as Christian intellectuals we can live too much in our heads at times. The Lord wants us to not only think but pray. He wants us to give to Him not only what we know, but also what we do not know.    

In sum, Paul wants us to take stock of what we allow to go on between our ears.  Consider the following:

• Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
• Watch your words, for they become actions.
• Watch your actions, for they become habits.
• Watch your habits, for they become character.
• Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
• Frank Outlaw 

Part of leadership character starts between your ears. Think about it.

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