What We Should Think and Be
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
--Philippians 4:8-9 NASB
You have probably heard the computer expression “garbage in, garbage out.” Basically, it means you get out what you put in. This principal is quite appropriate for people as well as computers. What goes into us is what comes out of us. Since God made us, He knows this all too well. God also knows that if we do not keep the right things within us, we are likely to drift away from Him, thereby becoming useless to God, to others and to ourselves. To avoid this, the Apostle Paul gives us some advice that will help us keep to the right path.
Paul tells us what we should think about. The referenced Greek word is transliterated as logizomai (pronounced "log-ID-zom-ahee"), meaning to recon or consider; to take into account. We should always keep these things in our mind and heart, for they will impact what we think, what we do, how we live. We should dwell on these things. But what are they?
Paul lists several qualities that help us identify the things that should occupy our mind and heart. Many Bible translations quantify these things with the word “whatever,” but the referenced Greek word, transliterated hosos ("HOS-os"), can also be translated as “as many as there are," or "all of these things.” In other words, Paul wants us to consider any and every thing that bears these qualities. After all, if we spend our time trying to think about all of the things that we should, we will have no time to think about the things we should not. Let us review Paul’s list of qualities.
First, there is the quality referenced by the Greek word aléthés ("al-ay-THACE"), which is that of being true. This is something that without question is the truth. There is no gray area or doubt. When all else fails around us we can hang on to these things because we know in our heart of hearts that they are true.
The second quality is referenced by the Greek word semnos ("sem-NOS"). This describes something revered, something venerable or serious, even something grave. We often translate this word as honorable. These are things are so important, things that we hold in such high regard and respect that we cannot, or at least should not, bring shame or disrespect to them.
The third quality is referenced by the Greek word dikaios ("DIK-ah-yos"), meaning correct, just, righteous, and by implication innocent. These are things which are in right alignment with God. God has no problem with these things because they are aligned or in agreement with His Word.
The fourth quality is referenced by the Greek word hagnos ("hag-NOS"), which is something clean, undefiled, or chaste; something holy or sacred. This word is often translated as pure.
The fifth quality is referenced by the Greek word prosphilés ("pros-fee-LACE"). These things have the quality of being pleasing or agreeable. Many people could look at something with this quality and they would agree that it is pleasing to them. This word is often translated as lovely.
The sixth quality is referenced by the Greek word euphémos ("YOO-fay-mos"). This is something that people report well of, or something that is commendable; something that is praiseworthy.
Paul reinforces the praiseworthy aspect of these things with the use of the Greek word epainos ("EP-ahee-nos")--praise. These things should cause us to bring forth praise and edification rather than smart remarks and criticisms.
Paul finishes by saying that he has taught these qualities and he also done his best to embody them. As followers of Christ, we are to do the same.
Father, I praise You for Your greatness and I thank You for Your love and forgiveness. I ask You to help me to dwell on these worthy things, and by extension, to help me embody them. Direct me to the things that are true, that are honorable, that are righteous, that are pure, that are lovely, and that are worthy of praise. In Jesus' name, amen.
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--Philippians 4:8-9 NASB
You have probably heard the computer expression “garbage in, garbage out.” Basically, it means you get out what you put in. This principal is quite appropriate for people as well as computers. What goes into us is what comes out of us. Since God made us, He knows this all too well. God also knows that if we do not keep the right things within us, we are likely to drift away from Him, thereby becoming useless to God, to others and to ourselves. To avoid this, the Apostle Paul gives us some advice that will help us keep to the right path.
Paul tells us what we should think about. The referenced Greek word is transliterated as logizomai (pronounced "log-ID-zom-ahee"), meaning to recon or consider; to take into account. We should always keep these things in our mind and heart, for they will impact what we think, what we do, how we live. We should dwell on these things. But what are they?
Paul lists several qualities that help us identify the things that should occupy our mind and heart. Many Bible translations quantify these things with the word “whatever,” but the referenced Greek word, transliterated hosos ("HOS-os"), can also be translated as “as many as there are," or "all of these things.” In other words, Paul wants us to consider any and every thing that bears these qualities. After all, if we spend our time trying to think about all of the things that we should, we will have no time to think about the things we should not. Let us review Paul’s list of qualities.
First, there is the quality referenced by the Greek word aléthés ("al-ay-THACE"), which is that of being true. This is something that without question is the truth. There is no gray area or doubt. When all else fails around us we can hang on to these things because we know in our heart of hearts that they are true.
The second quality is referenced by the Greek word semnos ("sem-NOS"). This describes something revered, something venerable or serious, even something grave. We often translate this word as honorable. These are things are so important, things that we hold in such high regard and respect that we cannot, or at least should not, bring shame or disrespect to them.
The third quality is referenced by the Greek word dikaios ("DIK-ah-yos"), meaning correct, just, righteous, and by implication innocent. These are things which are in right alignment with God. God has no problem with these things because they are aligned or in agreement with His Word.
The fourth quality is referenced by the Greek word hagnos ("hag-NOS"), which is something clean, undefiled, or chaste; something holy or sacred. This word is often translated as pure.
The fifth quality is referenced by the Greek word prosphilés ("pros-fee-LACE"). These things have the quality of being pleasing or agreeable. Many people could look at something with this quality and they would agree that it is pleasing to them. This word is often translated as lovely.
The sixth quality is referenced by the Greek word euphémos ("YOO-fay-mos"). This is something that people report well of, or something that is commendable; something that is praiseworthy.
Paul reinforces the praiseworthy aspect of these things with the use of the Greek word epainos ("EP-ahee-nos")--praise. These things should cause us to bring forth praise and edification rather than smart remarks and criticisms.
Paul finishes by saying that he has taught these qualities and he also done his best to embody them. As followers of Christ, we are to do the same.
Father, I praise You for Your greatness and I thank You for Your love and forgiveness. I ask You to help me to dwell on these worthy things, and by extension, to help me embody them. Direct me to the things that are true, that are honorable, that are righteous, that are pure, that are lovely, and that are worthy of praise. In Jesus' name, amen.
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