We have to be extremely careful with our thoughts. They tend to pop out in our words and actions. Some people are adept at hiding their thoughts from most of the rest of us. But most of us can’t do that all the time. In fact, for those who know us best, our thoughts are written across our face.

We need to avoid certain actions, locations, books, magazines, movies and other things that contribute to our though life if they contribute to negativity in our minds, if they lead to evil thoughts.

In Philippians 4:8-9, Paul gives us some direction on how to direct our thoughts. First, he tells us to think about things that are true. But next, he instructs us to think about things that are noble.

If you are like me, nobility is a vague notion in my mind. Just what does it mean?

Dictionary.com lists several different definitions for the word noble:

• distinguished by rank or title.
• pertaining to persons so distinguished.
• of, belonging to, or constituting a heredity class that has special social or political status in a country or state; of or pertaining to the aristocracy.

I’m pretty sure none of those really fit what Paul is trying to say here. But dictionary.com goes on to list a fourth definition:

• of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence: a noble thought.

That seems more likely. But it still doesn’t really tell me what noble means.

My next step was to see how it was translated by other versions of the Bible:

• KJV – honest
• NASB, NRSV, ESV, NLT – honorable
• CEV – pure

So now, we have a better idea of just what it means. The word “noble” carries an idea of reverence, worthy of respect, something to be worshiped.

Our thoughts should be centered on such things, not on the cheap and vulgar.

That’s great; we now have an understand of what the word means. But how do we apply it?

That’s a bit harder.

I see three solutions that work in my life. Maybe they will work in yours as well.

Avoid things that bring my thinking down. – Mark 7:20-23

There are certain things I must avoid. Let me share an example. In college, I was fascinated with books by one particular author. But one day, after reading several of this writer’s books, a friend pointed out that when I read these books, my attitude was very negative and dark. He didn’t want to be around me when I was like that.

I had no idea that I was thinking such thoughts, much less presenting them for the world to see. I immediately ceased reading any books by that particular author, and have since added a few others to the list of authors I will not read. That was over twenty years ago, and I haven’t read a single piece by that writer since. And my attitude has improved because of it.

There are certain books, movies, songs, and places that I must avoid if I want to prevent my thinking from becoming dark. These things do not fit the description of “noble.” And because of that, I must replace them with things that are.

Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5

This means that I develop a purpose, a philosophy, a design for my thinking. Christ will not overcome every random thought that I have for me. Rather, I must strive to keep my thoughts directed toward that purpose, that design. And with Christ’s help, soon my thinking becomes more focused on things that are worthy of worship, things that are worthy of the term “noble.”

Be transformed by the renewing of my mind. – Romans 12:2

My goal is not to be conformed to the pattern of this world. Instead, I desire to be conformed to Christ. And the best way I’ve discovered to do that is to spend time dwelling within his Word. I’ve found that the more I read, study, and meditate on the Word of God, the more my thinking naturally avoids things that do not fit the description of “noble.”

In fact, recently I started hand copying the Bible. This has helped tremendously as I strive to keep my focus on things that are noble, and bring glory to God in the arena of my thoughts.

My goal is to continue to bring this area of my life into submission to Jesus. I hope you are as well.

What is the best example of “noble” that you know of? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.