Eight Stone Gates: Taking Thoughts Captive

Scripture has a lot to say about thinking. What God thinks about us, what we think about God, and what we should think about peo ple, issues and events. It is appropriate to consider this because we are always thinking. We reflect and remember, analyze and fantasize, plan and remember. It never stops. One question frequently asked of Jesus was, "What do you think?" Good question. What we should think about is answered by Paul in his instructions to the church at Philippi: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:8). In a sense, Paul is describing eight gates to our mind that are designed to filter the thoughts we allow to enter just as the gates of a walled city were used to control traffic. But beyond the simple fact that Paul says so, sound thinking is essential for sound living because what we think inevitably influences what we do. What do you think? What should you think? Eight Stone Gates will expand your understanding of Paul's admonition with direct exposition and engaging stories. "Think about these things."

Dan Manningham is an ACBC-certified biblical counselor and preaching elder at his church. He is a retired 747 Captain and award winning aviation author. He has been married to Fran for over fifty-seven years and they have seven children, thirty grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He has served as a certified Biblical counselor and has served in many church leadership positions and on the board of four mission organizations. He has served in Mali, West Africa, and in Afghanistan as a pilot with PACTEC.