Brain Surgery 4.8 Part 5 Think on Lovely things

Today we're Continuing to our study of Brain Surgery 4.8 Phil. 4:8 and how the believer should be a good steward of his or her mind.

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

God gives us several things we are to "put on" in our thinking which will help us become more like our Lord Jesus Christ.

remember, so far we've studied the first four criteria:

1) whatever is true...

- as opposed to that which is false

- whatsoever things are true, as opposed to that which is disconnected from reality.

2) whatever is honorable...

- as opposed to that which is frivolous.

3) whatever is right (or just)

- as opposed to that which is unrighteous, or not in conformity to God's will and standard.

4) whatever is pure

- as opposed to stained, dirty, immoral, or set apart to ungodliness instead of set apart to God.

- we need to be constantly evaluating our thinking in light of the issue of purity.

Today we're looking at the fifth criterion in our thinking:

5 "Thinking Things That Are Lovely"

READ Phil. 4:8

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

- Before we look at this fifth criterion, let me say one thing about the last clause, "Think on these things." Let your mind dwell

"Let your mind dwell" is an imperative or a COMMAND in the original language.

This is not an option.

The word is a form of logizomai (LAH-GIZ-AH-MY), from where we get our word "logic." It means to think, consider, ponder, or dwell on.

It's a present tense command meaning God wants us to be continually thinking, considering, pondering, and dwelling on these things.

cf. Rom. 6:11

Romans 6:11 KJV 1900

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I. What is lovely?

A. What it is not

INPUT: When we think of the word "lovely" what do we normally think of?

(physical beauty as in a lovely dress or a lovely little girl)

While that may be the common conception today, that of course is not what the Scripture is talking about.

B. What it is

1. The original word is prosphile (PROSS-FILL-AY). This is the only occurrence of this word in the NT which means we must take a careful look at the components of the word itself to determine its meaning since there are no other uses to examine.

Derivation: from a presumed compound of G4314 and G5368;

Strong's: friendly towards, i.e. acceptable

KJV: —lovely.

See: G4314

See: G5368

Cognate Group: G5411 (tribute), G4376 (offering), G1313 (differing), G4851 (be better for), G399 (bear), G5413 (burden), G5412 (lade), G5414 (lading), G5342 (be), G2018 (add), G4374 (bring), G5409 (bear), G1308 (be better)

Variants: προσφιλής

Other Resources: Thayer LSJ VGNT CWD GrLNT

AV Occurrences (1 Instances, 1 Words)

are lovely (1)

Phil 4:8

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2. Prosphile is made up of two words: pros and phile. Pros means "toward" and phile, one of the NT words for "love."

So literally it means "toward love."

Believers are to be thinking about things that are "toward love."

3. John Vandegriff in In The Arena of the Mind states this as "planning or concentration which will bring about a loving act."

II. Roadblocks to Lovely Thinking

If lovely thinking is that which is "towards love," we need to know what obstacles we need to overcome to make it a reality in our lives.

A. Modern American/ Australian culture

INPUT: What are some common misconceptions about love in our culture today?

- something you "fall" in and could "fall" out of.

*ILLUS. The West Side Story musical was "in an ethnic gang war setting.

[In one exchange] Anita is pleading with Maria in song to give up Tony because she wants Maria to 'stick to your own kind,' and because Tony murdered Maria's brother.

Maria sings, 'I hear your words and in my head I know they're smart.

But my heart, Anita, knows they're wrong.'

She goes on, 'I have a love and its all that I have.

Right or wrong - what else can I do?'

INPUT: Now I know we're not in the habit of analyzing the theology of Hollywood musicals in Sunday School — although I trust you're constantly evaluating all

you hear and see through a Biblical grid -- but what's wrong with the song's message I just read?

love comes so strong, there is no right or wrong.the case that one 'falls in love.'

One can't help it. It is a matter of the heart and one's feelings, and that's it.

It most certainly isn't a matter of the will.

By the end of the song Anita is convinced, and even though it was her lover that was murdered by Tony, they sing together, 'When love comes so strong, there is no right or wrong.

Your love is-your love.'")

What a terrible view of love (whatever you may think of the West Sides Story as a musical).

That reminds me of another "love" song which states "It can't be wrong because it feels so right."

Any time feeling is the basis of love, that marriage or that friendship is on very shaky ground, the house built on sand. When the first

wind blows on that house, it will not stand.

But if our marriages are built on the bedrock of BIBLICAL COMMITMENT, choosing to love and to plan to love AND TO BE CONTINUALLY THINKING "TOWARD LOVE" regardless of my feelings, and regardless of the other person's actions, then our marriages will stand against any storm.

Have you formed the habit of showing love only when you feel like it?

Do you typically feel your way into your next set of actions?

God wants us TO THINK AND ACT OUR WAY INTO A NEW SET OF FEELINGS.

cf. John 13:17 "If you know these things, you are blessed [happy] if you do them."

John 13:17 (KJV 1900)

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

This verse teaches us a thing very important thing about feeling

Right thinking -----> right actions ------> right feelings

(develop)

Another roadblock to lovely or "toward love" thinking is...

B. Laziness

"Planning or concentration which will bring about a loving act"- our def. for lovely thinking - is downright HARD WORK.

In order for us to be growing "thought-stewards" we must plan how we are going to love and benefit others.

When we fail to plan to do loving deeds, when we fail to think "towards love," we are being LAZY.

INPUT: Passages or principles from Scripture about laziness?

Prov. 6:6 --

Proverbs 6:6 (KJV 1900)

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise:

Prov. 6:9 --

Proverbs 6:9 (KJV 1900)

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

Prov. 10:26 --

Proverbs 10:26 (KJV 1900)

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him.

Prov. 12:27 --

Proverbs 12:27 (KJV 1900)

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: But the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Prov. 13:4 --

Proverbs 13:4 (KJV 1900)

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Prov. 19:15 --

Proverbs 19:15 (KJV 1900)

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Prov. 20:4 --

Proverbs 20:4 (KJV 1900)

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; Therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Prov. 20:16 --

Proverbs 20:16 (KJV 1900)

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: And take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

Prov. 21:25 --

Proverbs 21:25 (KJV 1900)

The desire of the slothful killeth him; For his hands refuse to labour.

Prov. 26:14 --

Proverbs 26:14 (KJV 1900)

As the door turneth upon his hinges, So doth the slothful upon his bed.

(neighbor nudge)

Let's take a few minutes and answer the following questions:

1. INPUT: How might a husband or wife be lazy in their thinking and fail to plan to meet the other's needs?

2. INPUT: What are some ways parents can be lazy and fail to plan to do loving things for their children?

As a couple or in small groups, think of several responses and then in a few minutes we will discuss them.

-------------------------------------------------------------

OK, let's come back together and discuss your answers.

1. INPUT: How might a husband or wife be lazy in their thinking and fail to plan to meet the other's needs?

- Husband who thinks ALL he must do for his wife is to provide a house, clothes, an insurance policy, maybe a car, labor saving devices, and enough $$ to pay the

bills. BUT HE IS LAZY IN GETTING TO KNOW HIS WIFE. TALKING TO HER. ANSWERING HER PROBING QUESTIONS EVEN WHEN HE DOESN'T FEEL LIKE "RE-HASHING" A PHONE CALL OR A DAY AT WORK.

- (Balance) Wife who doesn't plan and think toward love for her husband by giving him space before "unloading" on him all the problems of her day, or before

interrogating him on the details of his day.

- Wife or husband is not sensitive to the other's needs for physical intimacy through their sexual relationship. If you don't plan to meet his or her

needs, oftentimes those needs go unmet. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

- By failing to think how work may be becoming more important that the wife or husband.

Work is good, but it can become more important that our spouse if we are lazy and fail to plan to do the loving thing for our spouse.

2. INPUT: What are some ways parents can be lazy and fail to plan to do loving things for their children?

- Not planning family time with them

- Children don't want 1 hour of "quality" time, they just want several hours of time!

Don't fall into the quality time trap which says, "I don't get much

time with them, but the time I get sure is good!"

1 hour of supposed "quality" time does NOT make up for several hours of just plain time with mom and dad.

- Not having a plan who do have family time

*ILLUS. In the video the Jungle Book a group of British vultures up in a tree have a terrible time deciding what to do. "So whatcha wan' ta do?" "I

dunno, whatch YOU wanna do?" "Don't staat tha' again!" Their boredom is broken who the Mowgli, the little boy, stumbles upon them.

Argument and indecision can result by mom and dad being lazy and not practicing thinking that is "towards love" with their children.

It's not wrong to get their input and see what they want to do -- in fact that's great -- but there needs to be some planning done. Good family activities

don't just happen. Like we mentioned before, if you fail to plan you plan to fail.

INPUT: What are some activities you have done or that could be done with your children?

- whiffle ball, bike rides, miniature golf, special shows on TV with discussions afterwards on the good and bad things you saw, etc.

III. What Lovely Thinking Will Replace

This list in Phil. 4:8 is a list of "put ons" for our thinking. As we practice these ways of thinking, we will be ceasing from sinful ways of thinking.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV 1900)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

INPUT: What are some sinful ways of thinking that can be replaced by thinking "towards love," by planning to do bring about a loving act?

A. Bitterness

It's impossible to remain bitter against a person for whom you're planning to do a loving thing.

cf. Eph. 4:31-32; Heb. 12:15

Ephesians 4:31–32 (KJV 1900)

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Hebrews 12:15 (KJV 1900)

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

B. Self-pity

"Poor me" thinking can cause a person to be depressed.

But if the thinking is not on poor me, but how can I serve God and others, how can I think toward loving them, then self-pity can be overcome.

C. Fear

1 Jn. 4:18 Perfect love, mature love, will drive fear out.

1 John 4:18 (KJV 1900)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Perfect love meets the need of the cherished object in spite of feelings.

God wants us to be thinking toward love for Him and others.

How have you done in the area of planning for the good of others around whom the Lord has placed you?

Have you been obeying the command to be thinking "towards love" in the lives of others?