Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Paying Attention

Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.

The things I give my attention to have a bearing on the shape of my soul.  Paul tells us as much in Philippians 4:8 when he says we should think about the things that are true, honorable, just, excellent, praiseworthy, and so on.

Contrast Paul’s list with your typical night on TV.  The kinds of images and ideas presented there sell to a broad and bored audience-very little of it is honorable, praiseworthy, or even true.  Much of it is contrived to appeal to the lowest instincts in our natures so we don’t have to stretch ourselves.  Dwelling on these things does not do much good for our souls.  But Paul’s list does.  When I focus myself on Paul’s list I shape my mind and heart to the kinds of things that come from the heart and mind of God.

Either I can sink to a lowest common denominator, or I can turn myself toward the things in this world that reflect God.

This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church.  For more information, please visit quaillake.org.

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