Applying Philippians 4:8 to one's life?

ochiaghanam

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Philippians 4:8 says "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."

So, I'm trying to apply this verse to my life. For example, analyzing every TV show and movie I watch, as well as books I read to see if they meet the terms in the verse. How do you apply the verse in your life? Some other examples would be nice :)
 

JRSut1000

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I know we've had a couple discussions like this recently, all with a variety of views on how this verse is applied especially concerning entertainment.

My own personal perspective is UNSURE. I can't say exactly what shows are okay and what aren't but as a general premise I think the question should be: Am I watching sinful behavior on tv as entertainment? Basically, if I take pleasure in watching sexual sins and violent revenge and course humor, then its probably not very glorifying to God. And if you think about it, that's most TV today!
 
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Jupiter Drops

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Philippians 4:8 says "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."

So, I'm trying to apply this verse to my life. For example, analyzing every TV show and movie I watch, as well as books I read to see if they meet the terms in the verse. How do you apply the verse in your life? Some other examples would be nice :)

I think that this is an excellent thread.

For me, I look at other good Christians and how they live their life. Tebowing, Jeremy Lin's confessions, and other Christian athletes who devote their lives to God these days have truly inspired me to do the same.

I found these:

What Does Philippians 4:8 Really Mean? | Christ and Pop Culture
"Taking Control of Our Thinking" Philippians 4:8  April 22, 2001
 
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WilliamB

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I take this passage literally. Not as a you can't do anything contrary to what this says. I take it as whatever things are pure, lovely, admirable, etc...those are the things I actually do meditate on. Movies, music, etc are just things I entertain myself with. They are not things I meditate on so I don't view this passage as relevant for such things.
 
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strelok0017

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Excellent thread. This passage, as 1 John 2:15, has been an explosive with which God obliterated the fortresses of worldliness and video game addiction in my life. We should seek the righteousness of God and His kingdom first and all other things will be added to us. I really love verses like that and I pray daily that they be the guide and the mark of my life because Jesus said that narrow is the way that lead to life and few it be that find it. The only reason I connect it to what OP has in mind is because I know what are the dangers of contended worldliness. We might view entertainment like video games or such like irrelevant but that is threading on a dangerous ground according to the words of Jesus. I just want us to think about all things we let into our lives and meditate on Philippians 4:8. It's a life verse for some and definitely one of the life verses for me. Not because I am Philippians 4:8 person but because I want to be.

@OP
Just follow Christ, stay close to Him and things will fall into place. You have gotten somewhere where Jesus lead you and that is the fact that Philippians does apply to our life in full, not just partially. It is definitely a verse that is mighty to destroy all worldliness in our life. We ought to follow our good consciousness that the Lord has given us and let it be led by His Word. I'm not sure if you are here talking specifically about different forms of entertainment but let me tell you that it definitely refers to other areas of life also. Kingdom of God is a matter of peace, righteousness and joy in the Holy Spirit and I think that it is what this verse is trying to remind us of. We are to set our minds on the things that are from above. The book of Ecclesiastes, which I really really love, makes a great reference to this verse. What is vanity and striving after wind?

In my opinion, all we do for our glory or in other words flesh gratification is of the world. Maybe an outstretched reference but I think it's not. There's so many teachings in the Bible that warn against being conformed to this world and such. Philippians 4:8 to me, in a sense, looks like an application of 1 John 2:15. Or at least, one of them.
 
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It's good for your health. Fewer toxins to fight off.

I had a really good experience years ago -- we found ourselves getting into negative conversations a lot, criticizing everything bc it was safe and people bonded over being negative. We made a commitment to stop ourselves when we started being critical. It was amazing how everything, everyone around us changed!
 
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WilliamB

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But if you watch something enough (say a violent show or show with loose morals and philosophies), isnt that going to become a part of your thought process even if 'subconsciously'?

I don't worry about what is subconscious. If something bothers me or causes me to act unloving toward another, I try to avoid it. That's my only measure. I think I have more problems with this forum in that department than anything on tv. ;). Movies that glorify adultery for instance, can put me in a bad and suspicious mood. But the movie 300 is awesome! It just depends.

Now there are certain movies I won't fall asleep to because it affects my dreams and gives me a restless sleep. Certain demonic movies can do this or lot of guns and explosions but just depends. I don't put up any litmus test beyond whether or not it causes me to treat others poorly.
 
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Itagaki

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If something bothers me or causes me to act unloving toward another, I try to avoid it. That's my only measure. I think I have more problems with this forum in that department than anything on tv. ;)

That's what affect religion has on me, makes me unloving towards people. That's why I avoid it so much. :thumbsup:
 
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drjean

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It's a good foundation for having the "mind of Christ". :) Jesus never put anyone down who was trying to improve himself...

When we think negative thoughts, we begin to grow toxic "trees" (neuropathically) in our brains... these trees kill the brain. However, if we stop our negative thinking and speaking, and change those thoughts to something "pure, good, honorable, honest" etc., then we build strong connections for good and health in our brains. It takes many more good thoughts to destroy those toxic trees than it took for bad thinking to create them :( (Read Who Switched Off my Brain by Dr Caroline Leaf).

We have 30 seconds to change a thought from bad to good, before the brain makes it "permanent". We can only think one thought at a time, but often we flit about multi-tasking and the negative toxic thought goes right on unchallenged.

I put a thread in Mental Health Forum 10 Common Cognitive Distortions and what to do about them, which I think would apply here.

Recognizing the negative thinking will help us to focus more on the good, pure, honorable: healthy and spiritual thoughts.

I like to think good things about others, looking for the good in them (we all have negative stuff and no one wants to hear about that)...accenting the good will help them also become better and block the negative.

I look for ways to engage in "sudden acts of kindness" as it helps me focus on the good and true and pure stuff in life too. :)

Whenever life becomes overwhelming in and of itself, focussing on God and His love and Who He is and how He cares and will take care of me ALWAYS changes my perspective... for truly HE IS all that is good, pure, honorable....
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JRSut1000

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'Transformation by the renewing of our minds'. Even when we get saved, a lot of times we have to re-learn how to think, how to view the world, how to respond to people and situations based on the Word instead of previously held 'worldviews'. It's a process, some things happen immediately by the grace and power of God. But there are other times when it is definitely a process of changing our 'stinking thinking'. A dear friend (and Im sure others) have said that the biggest battle is between our ears [the mind].
 
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