Summary: PROPOSITION: To motivate the hearer to be proactive in controlling the things they meditate upon and speak forth.

TRASH IN TRASH OUT

Philippians 4:8,9

TEXT: (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

INTRODUCTION:

I. WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE THINGS WE ALLOW OUR-SELVES TO THINK ABOUT v.8 “… meditate on these things”

Meditate [GR log-id’-zom-ahee]: to take an inventory; estimate (literally or figuratively): think

We Should Be Careful About The Things We Allow Ourselves To Think About Because …

A. WHAT IS IN OUR HEART IS WHAT WILL COME OUT OF OUR MOUTH

Luke 6:45 (NKJV) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

We Should Be Careful About The Things We Allow Ourselves To Think About Because …

B. WE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF OUR MOUTH

Matthew 12:36-37 (NKJV) But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

II. EIGHT CRITERIA TO USE IN EVALUATING WHAT WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO MEDITATE UPON AND SPEAK FORTH?

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.

A. IS IT TRUE:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, … meditate on these things.

B. IF IT IS TRUE, IS IT HONEST?

Finally, brethren, … whatever things are honest, … meditate on these things.

C. IF IT IS TRUE AND HONEST, IS IT FAIR?

Finally, brethren, … whatever things are just, … meditate on these things.

D. IF IT IS TRUE, HONEST, AND FAIR, IS IT GODLY?

Finally, brethren, … whatever things are pure, … meditate on these things.

E. IF IT IS TRUE, HONEST, FAIR, AND GODLY, DOES IT LEAVE A GOOD IMPRESSION?

Finally, brethren, … whatever things are lovely, … meditate on these things.

F. IF IT IS TRUE, HONEST, FAIR, GODLY, AND LEAVES A GOOD IM-PRESSION, IS IT POSITIVE?

Finally, brethren, … whatever things are of good report … meditate on these things.

G. IF IT IS TRUE, HONEST, FAIR, GODLY, LEAVES A GOOD IMPRES-SION, AND POSITIVE, DOES IT REFLECT WELL UPON YOU?

Finally, brethren, … if there is any virtue … meditate on these things.

H. IF IT IS TRUE, HONEST, FAIR, GODLY, LEAVES A GOOD IMPRES-SION, IS POSITIVE, AND REFLECTS WELL UPON YOU, DOES IT LEAVE THE HEARER FEELING GOOD AFTER HAVING HEARD IT?

Finally, brethren, … if there is anything praiseworthy … meditate on these things.

III. WE MUST BE PROACTIVE IN KEEPING OUR HEARTS PURE THEREFORE MAKING OUR LIVES ARE PURE ALSO v.9

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

CONCLUSION: