“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).

The undisciplined mind is a minefield of opportunities for all kinds of terrible things to happen to oneself and to others when acted out. It is a plague of our time and in this generation with all the gadgets, networks, and media at our disposal continually without interruption.

Figments: Beware of figments, those imagined realities that exist only in the mind and in no other reality. Figments exist in the undisciplined mind and are the cause of many disastrous things in our world. Depression, unfounded fears, anxieties, anger, hostility, and even fits of rage are only the beginning of the devastation that may occur. Self-destructive figments of imagined realities with no redeeming qualities of which to lay hold, only delusional images that drown in sorrow and shame.

Figments are also the cause of overconfidence in one’s own prowess leading to taking daredevil chances with life and limb, leading to tragic loss of life or limb when things turn for the worse. Figments lead to pride, arrogance, and visions of grandeur, that may cost the lives of those to whom such a one commands or leads. Leaders beware the figments that inhabit your thoughts in idle times and produce a harvest of regret.

Sadly, you can imagine there’s no heaven, no hell below, no countries, no religion, no possessions. You can believe in strawberry fields forever where nothing is real, but that is a figment that has deceived many in our generation. The perils of the undisciplined mind can be perilous to many generations who follow the imagined reality to the final conclusion.

The disciplined mind is thoughtful, with a footing in reality and on a solid foundation. The disciplined mind thinks truth, acts out truth and speaks truth. The disciplined mind is pure, lovely and virtuous and the fruit of such a mind is a bountiful harvest of purity, loveliness and virtue in thought, word and deed.

The disciplined mind leaves no room for figments, rather casts them down, and takes them captive to the obedience of Christ (cf. II Corinthians 10:5). The disciplined mind thinks honest things that are of a good report; things that are praiseworthy and true. There is no dishonor in avoiding the perils that ensnare the undisciplined mind.

The Apostle exhorts us, and we would be wise to take heed to “exercise the mind and be mentally disposed to things above, not to things on the earth; for you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is your life shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:2-3). That is the fruitful reward for the disciplined and healthy mind. And the perils of the undisciplined mind shall not be known.

Then it shall be as the Prophet declared: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

Perfect peace, rest and assurance to those who seek the mind of Christ and know His will. Shalom.

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