Each passage below is quoted word for word from the King James Version, starting with Philippians 4:8 and moving through related Scripture on thoughts, meditation and the mind.
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.
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
This is the verse behind every search for the think on these things Bible verse. Paul gives six filters for the mind and then a command to dwell on whatever passes them. It treats attention as something we can steer, not merely something that happens to us. This one works well as a think on these things Bible verse to write on a card.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
Two verses before the call to think well, Paul deals with worry. Careful means anxious here. Prayer with thanksgiving comes first, clearing the mental ground so that the good things listed later have room to take root.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
The promised result of prayer is a peace that stands guard over both heart and mind. It is described as passing understanding, which means it often arrives before circumstances improve and cannot be explained by logic alone. If you need a think on these things Bible verse to share, this is a sound choice.
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.
Philippians 4:9 (KJV)
Right after the instruction to think, Paul says to do. Thought is meant to flow into practice. The reward is not only a peaceful mind but the nearness of the God of peace himself, walking with those who live out what they have learned.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
Change begins in the mind. Paul contrasts being squeezed into the world’s mold with being transformed from within. Choosing to think on true and lovely things is one daily way of cooperating with that renewal. People who want a think on these things Bible verse to learn by heart often begin here.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
Thoughts are not all welcome guests. Paul describes taking them captive and testing them against Christ. The six qualities of Philippians 4:8 give a simple test: does this thought pass, or does it need to be set aside?
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
A mind stayed on God is a mind anchored. The promise is perfect peace, and the condition is a settled focus supported by trust. It pairs well with Paul’s command, since both link calm with where the mind rests. Many choose it as their think on these things Bible verse for the week.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2 (KJV)
Affection here means the mind’s orientation. Paul asks believers to aim their attention upward, toward what lasts. It is the same direction of travel as the list in Philippians, only expressed in a single sentence.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
Wisdom literature has long noticed that inner thoughts shape outer character. The verse warns that words and actions can hide a heart that is elsewhere, which is why what we privately dwell on matters so much. It is a solid think on these things Bible verse for quiet reflection.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14 (KJV)
David asks that both speech and silent meditation please God. It makes a lovely prayer to say before opening the day’s news or messages, inviting God to shape what the heart will chew on.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalms 1:2 (KJV)
The blessed person of Psalm 1 does not merely read Scripture but delights in it and turns it over repeatedly. That habit of meditation is the biblical pattern for putting Philippians 4:8 into daily practice. Consider it a think on these things Bible verse that rewards slow reading.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8 (KJV)
God told Joshua that meditation leads to obedience, and obedience to a well-ordered life. Thinking on God’s word is therefore not an escape from action but the fuel for faithful action.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psalms 139:23 (KJV)
Honest thinking includes inviting God to examine what we cannot see clearly ourselves. This short prayer opens the mind to correction and is a fitting companion to the quality of honesty in Philippians 4:8. A think on these things Bible verse like this one shows up in many readers’ notebooks.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
Guarding the heart is described as a diligent, ongoing task because everything else flows from it. Deciding what to think on is part of that guarding, a daily choice about what is allowed to settle in.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Psalms 94:19 (KJV)
The psalmist knew crowded, restless thoughts and found that God’s comforts could cut through them. It is an encouraging verse for anyone whose mind races at night and who needs something gentler to hold. It deserves a place beside any think on these things Bible verse you keep.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 (KJV)
Paul sets two mindsets side by side and names their outcomes. Thinking shaped by the Spirit leads to life and peace, which is exactly the fruit that dwelling on true and pure things is meant to produce.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8 (KJV)
This verse humbles our thinking. God’s wisdom is higher than ours, so the best use of the mind is to align it with his rather than to trust every conclusion it reaches on its own. Readers searching for a think on these things Bible verse often land on this one.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalms 119:11 (KJV)
Memorized Scripture becomes a ready resource when temptation or worry strikes. Storing up verses such as Philippians 4:8 means the right thought is already present when the wrong one arrives.
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Psalms 104:34 (KJV)
Meditation on God is described as sweet and joyful, not heavy. The think on these things Bible verse invites the same experience: a mind that finds real gladness in what is good and true. Keep it in mind the next time you look for a think on these things Bible verse.
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)
Handing our work to God steadies our thinking. When plans and outcomes are surrendered, the mind no longer has to carry every result, and thoughts become settled rather than scattered.
The think on these things Bible verse sits near the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, a warm and personal letter written from imprisonment. Paul was chained, uncertain about his future, and yet the letter is full of joy. That background matters, because the instruction to think on good things is not advice from someone with an easy life. It comes from a man who had learned how to keep his mind steady under pressure. Hold that thought as you read each think on these things Bible verse on this page.
The verse begins with the word Finally, which signals that Paul is gathering his thoughts before closing. Just before it, he has urged two quarreling women to agree, told the church to rejoice, and taught them to pray instead of worrying. Philippians 4:8 follows naturally: once anxiety has been handed to God, what should fill the space it leaves behind?
Reading the think on these things Bible verse in this flow shows that it is part of a sequence, not a stand-alone motto. Rejoice, be gentle, pray with thanks, receive God’s peace, then think on what is good, then practice what you have learned. Each step supports the next, and the verse about thinking is the hinge between receiving peace and living it out.
Paul founded the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey, and the believers there loved him deeply. They sent gifts to support his ministry, and he wrote back with gratitude and encouragement. The tone of the letter is that of a friend writing to friends, which makes the think on these things Bible verse feel less like a command from above and more like trusted counsel. Used this way, a think on these things Bible verse shapes habits as well as feelings.
Paul also knew what undisciplined thinking could do. He had once been a persecutor of the church, driven by conviction that turned out to be mistaken. His own life showed that the mind can be convinced of wrong things with great energy. When he later tells others to think carefully, he speaks from experience of how much direction thoughts can take.
Understanding the author helps us hear the verse correctly. It is not a call to pretend that suffering does not exist. Paul mentions his chains, his rivals and his own weakness in this very letter. He simply insists that, in the middle of all that, there is still plenty that is true and worth dwelling on.
Truth comes first in the list, and that is no accident. A mind built on falsehood cannot be healthy, however pleasant its feelings. To think on what is true means to anchor thought in reality as God has revealed it: his character, his promises, and the facts of our situation seen without exaggeration or denial. The same attention turns a think on these things Bible verse into more than comforting words.
This quality is a strong cure for anxious thinking, because worry usually runs on imagined possibilities presented as certainties. When the mind says everything will go wrong, a person can ask whether that is actually true. Often it is only a fear wearing the clothes of a fact. Truth cuts through that, and the think on these things Bible verse gives permission to do so.
Truth also corrects the opposite error, the habit of thinking too well of ourselves. Honest self-knowledge is part of what is true. You can see the first quality at work in many of the passages on this site about trusting God’s word, such as the page on standing for truth. Starting with truth keeps every other quality honest.
The King James word honest here carries the older sense of honorable or worthy of respect, though honesty in the modern sense is certainly included. The Greek idea is of things that have dignity and weight, as opposed to what is cheap, trivial or shameful. It asks what deserves our serious attention and which thoughts bring out our best. A think on these things Bible verse written for real people still speaks to real situations today.
In daily life, this quality can shape what we watch, read and discuss. A conversation that builds a person up has a certain dignity, while one that tears someone down does not. Thinking on honorable things means choosing sources of input that treat people and ideas with respect, and then letting those inputs play in the mind afterward.
It also includes plain honesty in our private reasoning. Many of us tell ourselves flattering stories to avoid facing something difficult. The think on these things Bible verse invites the opposite: to be straight with ourselves and with God. For more on this theme, see the page on Bible verses about honesty, which shows how God values truth in the inner being.
Just means right, fair and in line with God’s standard. When Paul lists this quality, he is asking us to measure our thoughts about people and situations by what is actually fair. We are quick to judge others harshly and to excuse ourselves lightly, and justice in the mind turns that habit around. This is how a think on these things Bible verse moves from the page into daily life.
A just way of thinking refuses to nurse grudges built on distorted accounts of what happened. It remembers that every person is made in God’s image and deserves to be seen accurately. This does not mean excusing wrong, but it does mean not turning a single hurt into a permanent verdict on someone’s character.
Practicing this part of the think on these things Bible verse also involves caring about what is right in the wider world. Reflecting on fairness for the poor, the stranger and the powerless pushes the mind outward, away from self-focused rumination. Pages like Bible verses about righteousness help show how deeply justice runs through Scripture.
Purity means being clean, free from contamination, and in Scripture it covers motives as well as actions. A pure thought is one with no hidden agenda that would poison it, and no corrosive content that leaves the mind feeling stained. Jesus linked purity to seeing God, saying the pure in heart are blessed. That idea is at the heart of any think on these things Bible verse.
Modern life makes this quality both harder and more important. Screens deliver an unlimited stream of material, much of it designed to provoke desire, envy or outrage. A person who takes the think on these things Bible verse seriously will become thoughtful about what is allowed in, not out of fear but out of care for the health of the mind.
Purity is also positive, not just a list of avoided things. It is like clean water, which is refreshing when you drink it. The page on Bible verses about purity explores this further, showing that God offers cleansing and not only rules. A pure mind is a freed mind, with room for joy and clarity.
Lovely is the word that surprises many readers, because it speaks of beauty and attractiveness. Paul, who suffered greatly, still counted the lovely as worth thinking on. The faith he preaches is not grim. It makes room for sunsets, music, kindness, laughter and the many gentle gifts that God scatters through ordinary days. Reading a think on these things Bible verse well means noticing who first heard it and why.
Attending to the lovely is a practical discipline. A person who intentionally notices beauty, whether in a garden, a friend’s smile or a well-sung hymn, trains the mind to look for goodness. Over time this changes what the mind expects to find. The think on these things Bible verse is partly a training in noticing.
Lovely also covers lovely character, meaning people and deeds that draw us toward love. Telling the stories of those who have shown patience, generosity and courage feeds this quality. It is no coincidence that so many people find encouragement by sharing and re-reading the best of such stories, letting them reshape their own responses.
Of good report describes what is well spoken of, things with a reputation for honor and grace. It points toward what is commendable and attractive in the telling. Where gossip sells negative news, this quality invites us to collect and repeat what is admirable, giving our attention and our conversation to better material. A think on these things Bible verse gains depth when we notice the setting in which it was first spoken.
A simple way to apply it is to watch the way you speak about others. Are your stories mostly about failures and faults, or about what is praiseworthy? The think on these things Bible verse nudges conversation toward blessing. It does not require us to ignore wrongdoing, only to refuse to make it our favorite subject.
This quality is also about legacy. What will people say of the way you lived? Thinking on good report gently asks what kind of reputation your thoughts and habits are building. Paul adds that if there is any virtue and any praise, those too belong in the thinking, so the list stays open for anything excellent.
After the six named qualities, Paul adds a catch-all: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Virtue means moral excellence, and praise means what is worthy of commendation. Together they make the list open-ended, a call to dwell on anything that is genuinely excellent, whether or not it fits a neat category. This is what separates a casual think on these things Bible verse from a lasting one.
This closing clause matters because real life does not come sorted. We meet courage in a stranger, skill in a craftsperson, patience in a nurse. Paul says to let the mind linger on all of it. The phrase think on these things Bible verse readers love to quote ends with exactly this generous invitation to notice excellence wherever it appears.
It also reminds us that the goal is praise, which ultimately returns to God, the giver of every good gift. Appreciation of excellent things is therefore a form of worship, and it shapes a thankful temperament. If you want to deepen the habit, the page on Bible verses about gratitude gives plenty of encouragement.
The Greek word translated think is not casual wondering. It implies careful consideration, weighing and reckoning. In effect Paul says to take account of these things, to let them carry weight in how you evaluate your life. The think on these things Bible verse is therefore about deliberate focus, not passive daydreaming. Keep this in mind whenever you reach for a think on these things Bible verse.
That helps with a common misunderstanding. Some readers hear the verse as a demand to feel happy, which then produces guilt when they cannot. But thinking is something we choose, even when feelings are heavy. We can decide to consider what is true and good while sorrow remains, and the two can exist side by side.
Considering also implies repetition. A single glance does not reshape a mind, but a habit of returning to the same good things does. Think of it as turning a ship slowly. Each time you steer attention back toward what is true, honorable and lovely, the course adjusts a little further, and in time the whole direction shifts.
Scripture treats thoughts as significant. Proverbs says a person is shaped by what they think in their heart, and the Psalms repeatedly ask God to examine inner meditations. Jesus taught that anger and desire begin in the mind long before they appear in action. The thinking life is not private in the sense of being unimportant. Hold that thought as you read each think on these things Bible verse on this page.
This can sound intimidating, but it is meant to be freeing. If thoughts shape us, then learning to direct them gives us real power to grow. The think on these things Bible verse offers a practical way to cooperate with God in that growth, using attention as a tool rather than being pushed around by every passing mood.
It also assures us that God is concerned with the whole person. He does not only care about outward conduct but about inner peace. For anyone who lies awake with a loud mind, it is comforting to know that God is interested in the quiet work of the mind and is willing to help with it. The page on Bible verses about thoughts gathers more passages on this subject.
Because Philippians 4:8 follows the teaching on anxiety so closely, it is natural to read it as part of the cure. Paul does not say simply to stop worrying. He gives a replacement. Pray, give thanks, receive peace, and then fill the mind with something better. Emptiness tends to be refilled by whatever is loudest, which is often fear. Used this way, a think on these things Bible verse shapes habits as well as feelings.
Practically, this can mean having a ready list of true things to say to yourself when worry strikes. God is near. He has helped before. This moment is not the whole story. The think on these things Bible verse becomes a script for those moments, redirecting the mind from imagined disasters to settled truths.
If worry is a regular struggle, take comfort that you are not alone, and that Scripture speaks to it often. You may find help in the pages on Bible verses about anxiety and Bible verses about overthinking. These work well alongside Paul’s instruction and give you additional passages to rehearse.
Peace in Philippians 4 is a gift that comes in two stages. First, the peace of God guards hearts and minds, as verse seven says. Then, in verse nine, the God of peace himself is with those who practice what they have learned. Between these two promises sits the think on these things Bible verse as the practical bridge. The same attention turns a think on these things Bible verse into more than comforting words.
This suggests that peace is not simply a feeling that descends from nowhere. It is a gift received through prayer and sustained through a disciplined, grateful mind. We are not saved by our thinking, but we can arrange our thinking so that it welcomes the peace that God has already offered.
Those looking for related encouragement can browse the pages on peace of mind and the broader theme of inner calm. Each shows another side of how God steadies a restless heart, and each can be read as an extension of the conversation that begins in Philippians.
Romans 12:2 speaks of being transformed by the renewing of the mind, and the think on these things Bible verse describes much of what that looks like in practice. Renewal is not a single moment but a continuing process, like cleaning a window that keeps gathering dust. Each day we choose again what to look through. A think on these things Bible verse written for real people still speaks to real situations today.
A helpful rhythm is to begin the day by turning your attention to God before turning to a screen. Read a passage, name one thing that is true and good, and carry it with you. When your thoughts drift into negativity later, you have a place to return to. Small and repeated choices add up to genuine transformation.
Renewal is also communal. We are influenced by the people around us, so spending time with those who encourage good thinking makes it easier. To explore this idea more, the page on renewing your mind offers additional Scripture, and together these passages create a fuller picture of how God remakes us from the inside.
Memorizing the think on these things Bible verse puts it where you need it most: in your head at the moment of temptation or worry. Begin by writing it out by hand, then break it into its six qualities. Say each quality aloud, link it to a picture, and move on to the next. In a week most people can recite the whole verse. This is how a think on these things Bible verse moves from the page into daily life.
Repetition in context helps. Say the verse during a walk, while washing dishes, or before sleep. Pair it with a physical cue, such as counting the six qualities on your fingers. Tying words to motion strengthens recall, and soon the verse will come to mind without effort whenever you notice your thoughts souring.
Do not treat memorization as a performance. The point is not to impress anyone but to carry a resource you can draw on. Review the verse once a week for a month, then occasionally after that. If you slip, simply begin again. The goal is a mind that has good things stored up for the times it needs them.
A short routine can turn this verse into a lasting habit. In the morning, read Philippians 4:8 slowly and choose one of the six qualities to look for that day. Perhaps it is the lovely or the just. Keep an eye out for examples as the day unfolds, and make a mental note whenever you find one. That idea is at the heart of any think on these things Bible verse.
In the evening, spend two minutes reviewing the day through that lens. What was true and good today? Where did you see something admirable? Write down one or two items. This is a gentle version of the old practice of examining the day, tuned to gratitude rather than guilt, and it makes the think on these things Bible verse concrete.
Over weeks, this routine changes what you notice. People who practice it often report that they spot kindness and beauty more readily, and that negative thoughts lose some of their grip. It is not magic, only attention trained by repetition, and it fits nicely beside prayer, Scripture reading and time with encouraging friends.
No one thinks well all the time. Some days the mind is a storm, and the think on these things Bible verse feels far away. When that happens, do not add shame to the struggle. Paul himself admits in other letters that he wrestled with weakness. The aim is steady progress, not perfect control. Reading a think on these things Bible verse well means noticing who first heard it and why.
Start small. Name the thought for what it is, and say a brief prayer asking for help. Then pick one true statement and speak it aloud, even if you do not feel it yet. Feelings often follow choices. If the pressure does not ease, talk with a trusted friend, pastor or counselor, because persistent distress deserves real support.
Remember also that returning to good thoughts is itself the victory. Every time you redirect, you strengthen the habit. A person who falls and rises a hundred times is growing stronger than they know. God is patient, and he welcomes each small turn back toward him as an act of faith worth celebrating.
The best illustration of the think on these things Bible verse is Jesus himself. His mind was filled with truth, with love for the Father, with compassion for people and with attention to the beauty of ordinary life, from lilies of the field to birds in the sky. He is the living pattern of everything Paul lists. A think on these things Bible verse gains depth when we notice the setting in which it was first spoken.
Paul writes elsewhere that believers have the mind of Christ, and in Philippians 2 urges them to let that mind be in them. Following the think on these things Bible verse is therefore less about a technique and more about becoming like Christ in how we see and consider the world around us.
For a closer look at this idea, read the page on the mind of Christ Bible verse. It shows how humility, service and obedience shape the way Jesus thought, and it offers a deeper foundation for the habits described in Philippians 4:8.
Children can learn the think on these things Bible verse early, and the six qualities are simple enough to explain with examples. Ask what is true, and let them tell the difference between a fact and a worry. Ask what is lovely, and take a walk to find something beautiful. Making it a game keeps the lesson light. This is what separates a casual think on these things Bible verse from a lasting one.
Parents can model the habit by speaking aloud about what they are grateful for and what they admire in others. Children copy what they hear, so a household that regularly names good things builds a quiet culture of gratitude. At bedtime, ask each child for one true and good thing from the day and let them hear the answers from each other.
For older children and teens, the verse becomes a tool for dealing with social media and peer pressure. Talk openly about what they see online and how it makes them feel. Invite them to apply the six qualities as a filter, and trust them to make wise choices. A guiding conversation works better than a list of rules.
Our world is built to compete for attention, and the think on these things Bible verse feels more necessary than ever. News, notifications and endless scrolling pull the mind in many directions. Paul could not have imagined our devices, but his principle still holds: what we dwell on shapes who we become. Keep this in mind whenever you reach for a think on these things Bible verse.
Living the verse today may mean setting limits, such as a quiet hour before bed or a day without news. It may mean following sources that inform without inflaming. These are not escapes from reality but ways of protecting the mind so that it can face reality with clarity and strength. The wisdom of Proverbs 4:23 backs this up.
Ultimately, the goal is a mind at rest in God, able to engage the world generously. Let Philippians 4:8 be a gentle compass, not a heavy rulebook. If you want to keep growing, explore the pages on wisdom and gratitude, and return to the think on these things Bible verse whenever you need to reset your thoughts.
If this study helped, these related pages on the mind, peace and godly character make a good next step: Mind of Christ Bible verse, Bible verses about thoughts, Bible verses about renewing your mind, Bible verses about overthinking, Bible verses about peace of mind, Bible verses about gratitude, Bible verses about goodness, Bible verses about integrity, Bible verses about inner peace, Bible verses about worry.
To study these verses in more depth, try Bible Gateway, Bible Hub, Bible Study Tools, Blue Letter Bible.
It is Philippians 4:8, where Paul tells believers to think on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, along with anything virtuous or praiseworthy. It is one of the most quoted Scripture passages about guarding the mind and choosing healthy, God-honoring thoughts each day. You will find more of them throughout this collection, each a think on these things Bible verse in its own right.
The apostle Paul wrote it in his letter to the church at Philippi, likely while he was in prison. He wrote to encourage a community he loved, giving practical guidance about joy, prayer, peace and the kind of thinking that supports a steady, faithful life in difficult circumstances.
Paul names things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. He then adds that if there is any virtue and any praise, we should think on those as well. Together, the list offers a filter for deciding what deserves lasting space in our minds. Use any think on these things Bible verse on this page in the same way.
No. It is more than optimism. Paul grounds the call in truth, justice and purity, not in wishful feelings. The verse asks believers to dwell on what is genuinely good, as God defines it, while still honestly facing hardship, and it follows a passage on prayer and peace.
Memorize it, read it each morning, and pick one of the six qualities to look for during the day. In the evening, note one true or lovely thing you saw. Pair this with prayer and thanksgiving, as Paul does in the verses just before, to build a steady, peaceful habit. That is what makes a think on these things Bible verse practical, not just inspiring.
Romans 12:2 on renewing the mind, 2 Corinthians 10:5 on taking thoughts captive, Isaiah 26:3 on perfect peace, Colossians 3:2 on setting affection above, and Psalm 19:14 on the meditation of the heart all connect closely and deepen the message of Paul’s instruction.
Yes, it was written right after Paul’s teaching on anxiety. He advises prayer with thanksgiving first, then offers a mental focus to replace worry. While it is not a substitute for professional care when needed, it gives believers a spiritual practice for steadying a troubled mind. Many readers keep a think on these things Bible verse nearby for exactly this reason.
