the Mind Filter

By Dan Haffey

Have you ever been around someone who it seems says whatever comes into
their mind? Like the filter is missing? These people say what is on
their minds and its pretty revealing….but not good stuff. Some of us
have been really wounded by careless and thoughtless words. The good news is that
most of us don’t say everything we think……we have a filter. But what
filter do we use? Philippians 4:8 gives us a Mind Filter for testing our
thoughts before they roll off our tongue and hit the air. It says:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything
is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." So truth, nobility, rightness, purity, loveliness, admirability,
excellence and praiseworthiness are the criteria for screening our
thoughts. It’s a pretty high bar. How do you “filter” your thoughts? What would you
allow to go from your mind to your mouth if you used these criteria? I’m
guessing a lot less……..and that would be a good thing.