Philippians 4:8


Finally, brothers and sisters, 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 ~ Philippians 4:8

Paul recommends mind and thought control, for ultimately, if we think the good qualities above, we will also speak them. The values placed above are given the highest respect by Paul as to how our minds and what our minds are to dwell upon. He has given us eight adjectives of Christian ideals to live by: truth, honour or noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable or of good report, virtue or excellent and praiseworthy, and we are to think about such things. If we are living the life God wants us to live, these ideals will be imbedded in our character. We are to be true in our speech as we talk to and with each other. Honesty in our actions transcends to others feeling we are trustworthy and reliable. If we live in righteousness, we live by justice in our relationships with others. No matter their social status, we ensure they are given equal opportunity. When we live as pure people within our own selves, we live for what is holy and godly. Lovely, well, is anything more lovely than truth and honesty? It is that we are to think on these things, Paul says, for it is in the thinking and the meditating we will be more prepared to live by them. It is a serious matter to control our thoughts. If we dwell in darkness, darkness comes, if we dwell in the light, the brightness expands.
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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