"What is True and Noble"

When I logged on to FB, I saw a song posted which was, "In God We Still Trust" by Diamond Rio. An awesome song! It gives an encouraging word to the families who survived the senseless killing of their loved ones on that fateful day of 9/11.

As I viewed the the video, the words, "What is Noble" came with the thought of Truth, but I could not think of the rest of the scripture, so I "Googled" it, and it was Philippians 4:8.

Written by Paul the Apostle, Philippians is in many respects, the most beautiful of Paul's letters, full of tenderness, warmth, and affection.

The dominant note throughout the letter is that of triumphant JOY. Paul though a prisoner, was exultantly happy, and called upon his readers to rejoice in Christ always.

Listen to his practical advice in Philippians 4:8.

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.

Beautiful words which puts the focus back on God and His truths written in His Word, The Bible. We as believers can not let those who only have destruction on their minds tear us down. If we focus on God, He promises that we can make it through any tragic situation which comes into our life. Paul, going through suffering himself, found the answer which lead him to a supernatural JOY.

Our adversary, Satan, hates us and wants to see us suffer and he goes to any length to see that accomplished. He will use any non-believer to make his plan happen. God wants us to be prepared for any battle that comes our way and He will give us the strength to make it through it. So, Paul encourages us to focus on what are True and Noble things. He says, when you search for higher things, you will elevate your own life and out of it will also come JOY. The Supernatural JOY only God can give.

I found this sermon, which I have posted below, that digs deeper into the meaning of the verse Philippians 4:8, and has another twist to it for the unbeliever.

This verse gives us eight questions to ask about our thoughts. Before you think and before you speak, ask these six questions.

1. Is it true? “Whatever is true.” Truth is the first test. Knox translates this as “all that rings true.” Before you open your mouth, are you speaking the truth? Do your words have the “ring of truth” about them? This question rules out all that is dishonest, untrue and unreliable.

2. Is it noble? “Whatever is noble.” The word means “honorable, worthy of reverence.” It refers to that which is majestic and awe-inspiring. One person translated it as “noble seriousness.” This word is used in another place to describe the proper qualities of an elder. Is your thought life honorable? Do you ponder things that are noble and of serious purpose? Or do you dwell on the frivolous and trivial?

3. Is it right? “Whatever is right.” This means “in conformity to God’s standards.” Not, “Is it right in my eyes?” or “Is it right in the eyes of others?” but “Is it right in God’s eyes?” If your thoughts were broadcast for the world to hear, would you be ashamed and embarrassed? If others knew what you were thinking, what would they think of you?

4. Is it pure? “Whatever is pure.” The word means “undefiled, chaste, clean, holy.” It touches the whole area of moral purity. Is your thought-life clean? We used to say, “Get your mind out of the gutter.” If you live in the gutter, don’t be surprised that your mind is covered with slime.

5. Is it lovely? “Whatever is lovely.” This word is used only here in the New Testament. It literally means “love towards.” It has the idea of attracting loveliness as a magnet attracts iron filings. One person translates it as “those things that grace attracts.” Do your thoughts automatically attach themselves to that which is beautiful and lovely? A thought may be true and even right but still not be lovely. Here’s a simple rule: If it’s not lovely, if it doesn’t make you lovely, don’t say it, don’t think it, don’t do it, don’t dwell on it, and don’t repeat it!

6. Is it admirable? “Whatever is admirable.” That is, is it worthy of study and contemplation? Or is it cheap and tawdry? This question asks us to focus on the things that are positive not negative, constructive not destructive, things that build up not the things that tear down. This means editing your words so that you simply delete the non-admirable things from your vocabulary.

If that’s not enough, the Apostle gives us two catch-all categories: “If anything is excellent or praiseworthy.” Excellent refers to virtue and praiseworthy means “those things that God himself would approve.” So here you have two final questions:

7. Is it morally excellent?

8. Is it something that God would approve?

Taken together, these eight questions point the way toward positive thinking. Paul says, “Think on these things.” It’s a command. It’s in the present tense. Keep on focusing your thoughts in these eight areas. Find the true and think about it. Find the noble and think about it. Find the lovely and think about it. Find the virtuous and think about it. Do it, and verse 9 tells us that “the God of peace will be with you.” Those who think on these things experience God’s peace in their lives.

If you focus on the truth, you will speak the truth.
If you look on noble things, nobility will mark your life.
If you seek out lovely things, your life will be lovely to others.
If you dwell on that which is right, that which is wrong will have no attraction to you.
If you think on pure things, you will become pure.
If you look for virtue, you will find it.
If you search for higher things, you will elevate your own life.

Here is God’s prescription for believers trapped in unhealthy living: Think On These Things! Focus on the good, the pure, the true, the holy, the right, the lovely. Find those things that elevate the mind and think on them!

“Find them,” you exclaim. “But where do I look?” Look all around you. Even in a fallen world, beauty is everywhere, truth is right by your side, purity is yours for the asking, things that are admirable are all around you.

Bits and Pieces of the sermon "Think on These Things" by Dr. Ray Pritchard

Father, gratefully we express appreciation for the fact that You have ministered to us this morning in many ways, and You have given us the privilege of sitting, as it were, at the feet of the Spirit of God to be taught. Help us, Lord, to understand the unbelievable privilege of having the mind of Christ, the wisdom of God dispensed to us by the Spirit of God so that we can properly know what is right. Help us, Lord, to protect the mind, to learn to think, to set our minds on the things that matter. Thank You, O God, for the rich repository of Your Word and all those many books that speak of Your Word that provide for us an unending well of fresh clear cool refreshing water of truth that we might truly be saturated with that which is true, which is honorable, which is right, which is pure, which is lovely, which is of good repute. And since there is excellence in the Christian life and since there are some things so worthy of praise, we would think on these things. Guard us, Lord, that we might be all the more to Your glory. Amen.

References:
Godly Thinking
NSFLB
Dr. Ray Pritchard
Video "In God We Still Trust" by Diamond Rio