December 22 2025

Monday December 22

“Think on These Things…”

Ephesians 4:21-24

21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Philippians 4:8

8 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.

Today we are looking at Ephesians 4:20–24. In these verses, Paul is speaking about putting off the old man and putting on the new man. He encourages us not to walk as the Gentiles—or the lost world—walks around us, but to live a new life, a different life, a life that reflects the glory of God in our speech, our attitudes, and in everything we say and do. These verses are so important that I feel we need to pause here for another day, especially verse 23, where Paul tells us how we can live this kind of life daily, moment by moment. That verse says we are to “be renewed in the spirit of our mind”. We talked about this yesterday, but today I want to make it more practical.

As I considered this verse, my thoughts went to Philippians 4. Paul says in verse 4, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Then he adds, “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” He goes on to say that we are not to worry, fret, or be anxious about anything. Instead, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Paul then gives this promise: “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

That passage takes me back to Isaiah 26:3, which says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” Then verse 4 says, “Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in YAH, the LORD is everlasting strength.”  When your mind is stayed on the Lord, it means that you remember who Yahweh Jehovah is—the personal God who loves you, cares for you, and keeps His promises. When you know that, you have His everlasting strength to face whatever comes your way in life.

Now let’s return to Philippians 4:8 where Paul continues by saying, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are noble, 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.” He then adds in verse 9, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

That is exactly what we need in our lives today. Instead of worry, fretting, fear, and dwelling on things we should not be thinking about, we are to think on the right things so that we will live the right way. Let me say it this way: when you are thinking what you should be thinking, you cannot be thinking what you should not be thinking. That is why Paul says, “Think on these things.” Thinking is a choice we make every day. Remember this simple principle: garbage in, garbage out. What are you spending time taking into your mind? What are you watching on TV, social media, YouTube? What are you reading on Facebook, in novels? What are you listening to on the radio or from friends? Are you attending church faithfully? Are you spending time in the Word of God?

We are about to finish one year and begin another, and I want to encourage you to commit yourself by God’s grace to daily Bible reading. Make time to read the Scriptures. Consider reading through the entire Bible at least once in 2026. Meditate on what you read. Think about it. Perhaps memorize one verse each week. By the end of the year, you will have fifty-two verses hidden in your heart.

Listen to godly music. Listen to biblical teaching as you travel, rather than allowing your mind to wander toward everything that is wrong, discouraging, or painful, or toward people who have hurt you in the past. Paul tells us to think on these things—the truths of God’s Word and the person of Jesus Christ. When we yield ourselves in obedience to the Word of God, and we are filled and guided by the Holy Spirit, He helps us think rightly and live faithfully. And you will be “renewed in the spirit of your mind”. (Read Romans 8:1-16).

I trust you will take this to heart as you prepare for the coming year, choosing to think what you should be thinking so that you will not be thinking what you should not be thinking.

God bless!