How to Renew Your Mind: Meditate on God’s Word and Think on What Is Pure (Philippians 4:8)

Y’all, I been praying and talking to God about my thoughts and my mind. I told Him straight up — I don’t want that old mindset or those wild imaginations no more. I want to think on things that are pure, lovely, just, and praiseworthy — those are the things I want filling my mind. Philippians 4:8 says it plain:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things honest, whatsoever things just, whatsoever things pure… think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

It’s interesting because we’re living in a world full of noise and evil, and thinking holy thoughts here ain’t always easy. I know so many people who’ve been through hard things — trauma, abuse, betrayals — and when their minds go back to those memories, it’s easy to revert to thinking things that aren’t good for them. I get it. I see it. I’ve been there.

Even while I type this, two images keep coming to my mind — Peter walking on the water and keeping his eyes on Jesus. When he looked at Jesus, he walked. When he looked at the storm, he sank. That story reminds me: we gotta keep our eyes on Jesus in the middle of the chaos. (See Matthew 14:22–33.)

Now that we’re new in Christ, old things have passed away — “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV) That means we have new things to think about. Things that are lovely, just, and pure are right there in God’s Word. But knowing that and living that are two different things. If our mind ain’t walking with the Word, then we gotta get back in the Word.

Meditation matters. The Word is like a seed planted in good ground — it brings forth 30, 60, and 100 fold when it gets deep enough in us (see Matthew 13:3–23; Matthew 13:8 KJV). Meditation is letting the seed go deep; it’s not just reading a verse and moving on. Joshua 1:8 puts it this way:

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.” (Joshua 1:8 KJV)

Meditate means to think deeply, to focus your mind in silence — to let the Word sink down into you. Psalm 1:2 says the blessed man’s delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11 KJV)

My prayer is that we — as children of God — would not just read Scripture but meditate on it. Let’s start small: one verse at a time. Pick a verse, chew on it, say it out loud, write it down, pray it back to God. Let it get so wrapped around your mind that the things that are lovely, pure, and just push out the junk and the fear.

Don’t forget Romans 12:2: we’re transformed by the renewing of our minds. That renewing happens when we allow the Word to change how we see things. When your mind gets renewed, your relationships change. Your friendships change. Your responses change. You begin to move like Jesus moves.

And when the storms come — because they will — keep your eyes on Jesus. Remember Peter: keeping your gaze on Him is the difference between walking on water and sinking. Say yes to the Word every day. Let it be the anchor that keeps your thoughts holy and your heart steady.

My prayer for you — for all of us — is that God would teach us how to meditate, step by step. Let one verse at a time soak in until that truth is the first thing your mind goes to. Let the Word be so rooted in you that it becomes your default thinking. Then watch how He transforms you, day by day.

Say it with me: Yes, Lord — I want to think on what is pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. Teach me to meditate. Root Your Word deep in my mind and heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Verses Included

• Philippians 4:8 — think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

• Matthew 14:22–33 — Peter walking on the water; keep your eyes on Jesus.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 — old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor 5:17 KJV)

• Matthew 13:3–23 / 13:8 — Parable of the sower; fruit 30, 60, 100 fold.

• Joshua 1:8 — meditate therein day and night. (Joshua 1:8 KJV)

• Psalm 1:2 — in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:2 KJV)

• Psalm 119:11 — Thy word have I hid in mine heart. (Psalm 119:11 KJV)

• Romans 12:2 — be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2 KJV)