July 10 2026

Friday July 10

“Whatever Things Are Just”

Philippians 4:8

Welcome to Pastor's Chat. Today we continue our journey through Philippians 4:8. Once again, let's read this wonderful verse together: “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.” Each of these qualities is another filter through which every thought should pass before it is allowed to remain in our minds. First, we asked, "Is it true?" Then we asked, "Is it honorable?"

Today Paul asks another important question: "Is it just?" The word just means righteous, upright, and in harmony with God's holy standards. It speaks of what is fair, right, and pleasing in His sight. Our world no longer agrees on what is right. People often say, "Do whatever feels right." Others say, "You have your truth, and I have mine." But God has never changed His standard. Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the LORD, I change not." Because God never changes, His standards of righteousness never change.

Psalm 119:172 declares, "All Thy commandments are righteousness." Everything God commands is right. Everything He forbids is for our good. Everything He teaches reflects His perfect character. That means when we examine our thoughts, we should ask, "Would this thought be approved by God? Does it agree with His Word? Does it reflect His righteousness?" That question alone can save us from countless sins.

Many temptations begin long before an action is ever taken. They begin with a thought. James tells us in James 1:14-15, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Notice the progression. The thought comes first. Then desire grows. Then comes the action. Then come the consequences. If we learn to reject sinful thoughts at the beginning, we prevent sinful actions later.

Years ago someone wisely said, "You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair." Tempting thoughts may come unexpectedly. Even our Lord was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. But Jesus never entertained those temptations. Instead, He immediately answered each one with the Word of God. Three times He declared, "It is written..." Our greatest weapon against wrong thinking is the truth of God's Word.

David understood this battle. In Psalm 19:14 he prayed, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Did you notice that? Not only the words of my mouth... But the meditation of my heart. David realized that God examines what no one else can see. People see our actions. God sees our thoughts. That truth should both humble us and encourage us. It humbles us because we realize how desperately we need God's grace. But it also encourages us because the Holy Spirit is able to transform us from the inside out.

As believers, we should never be satisfied merely with doing the right thing outwardly. God wants us to delight in what is right inwardly. He wants our minds to love righteousness. When we read Scripture, meditate on God's character, remember His promises, and walk with Him daily, our thinking gradually begins to change.

We begin to love what He loves. We begin to hate what He hates. Our values become His values. Our desires become more like His desires. That is the work of spiritual maturity.

So today, whenever a thought enters your mind, pause for just a moment and ask yourself, "Is this thought righteous? Would the Lord Jesus dwell on this thought?" If the answer is yes, continue thinking on it. If the answer is no, surrender it immediately to Christ and replace it with the truth of His Word. Remember, the Christian life is not simply avoiding wrong actions. It is cultivating a mind that delights in God's righteousness.

Tomorrow we'll come to one of my favorite words in this verse: "Whatever things are pure." In a world filled with moral confusion and impurity, God still calls His children to think pure thoughts.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You that You are perfectly righteous in all Your ways. Help us to measure our thoughts by Your holy Word instead of the standards of this world. Give us discernment to recognize thoughts that are not pleasing to You and the courage to reject them. Fill our minds with Your righteousness until our lives increasingly reflect the character of our Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God bless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!