Whatever is ... Think on These

whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any virtue and if anything worthy of praise, think on these (Phil. 4:8)

Introduction. This passage gives specific guidance for passages such as “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” or “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (Pr. 4:23; 2Cor. 10:5). Our minds are always thinking. When we are not focused with work, we tend to imagine and remember. The direction of these thoughts are critical to spiritual growth. Just as “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned," (Mt. 12:37), so also “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Mt. 12:34-35).

These meditations are the boundary between safety and danger and even life and death. They channel our thoughts like the lines on the road keep cars in their lanes or the out of bounds lines around any field of play. By assessing our thoughts before, during and after we think them we can be assured that “my meditation be sweet to Him” (Ps. 19:14; 104:34).

(1) True. When nothing is concealed and everything is out in the open, it is true. But because Satan is the master of deception, error often looks like truth and deadly sin looks desirable. Eve’s own lusts betrayed her because the one truth that could have saved her was concealed by a lie. If she had remembered it brought death, it would never have been seen as a delight, good or to be desired. We must assess every thought and imagination for the things that are concealed. The flesh lusts against the spirit by concealing key consequences. Under the grip of anger we can willfully forget all that God has said and believe a lie. Those “practicing evil hate the light,” because it reveals the true nature of sin. But “he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen.” (Jn. 3:20-21). When old lusts begin to stir, our greatest defense is the light that reveals “the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12).

(2) Noble. To enter this realm requires a complete renovation of our mind. Jesus revealed its foundation: “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” (Jn. 8:23). What is noble can only come from above. It is not in this world. It is part of the unseen, only known to those who “walk by faith and not by sight.” Noble thoughts come when we are “seeking those things which are above, where Christ is.” When we “set our mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-3), we will have noble thoughts. It is a “wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age.” It unlocks “the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.” No thoughts which “man’s wisdom teaches” are noble. Only what “the Holy Spirit teaches.” (1Cor. 1:20; 2:6-14). Since our citizenship is in heaven, so should be our thoughts (Phil. 3:20).

(3) Just / Righteous. With selfishness reigning in the hearts of man, just and righteous thoughts are rare. When thoughts misuse and abuse the rights of others they are not just. Righteous thoughts create unselfish care and concern. Sinful thoughts never take into account the harm or damage to others. Jesus gave the standard. “Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” (Lk. 6:31). As “the Lord is righteous; He loves righteousness.” (Ps. 11:7). God’s law reveals what is truly just: “Your testimonies are righteous for ever” and “all your commandments are righteousness.” (Ps. 119:144, 172). We must do as Joshua: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night.” When our “delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law” and we “meditate day and night” our thoughts will become more and more just. (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2)

(4) Pure. This is a purity only seen among the holy and sanctified - a purity found only through fellowship with God and His Son. Only one who “purifies himself, just as He is pure” can think pure thoughts. This is a purity arising from consecration and sanctification. “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2Cor. 7:1). There is only one path to reach this: “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (1Jn. 3:2; Jas. 3:17; 1Pet. 1:15-16). We see this purity in the mirror of God’s word. As we bring our thoughts there, we are “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” (2Cor. 3:18).

(5) Lovely. Some things are neither good or evil, yet can be uplifting or discouraging. There is a temptation to place too much emphasis on the bleakness of life. We learn from Ecclesiastes that “life under the sun” is cursed by sin and filled with unfairness and adversity. We see these things day by day, but refuse to allow them to stain our thoughts. Christians have a choice. We can allow the negative news and experiences to reign, or we can “rejoice in the Lord always,” “give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and “praise the glory of His grace.” There is still beauty and peace in this world. When we see them and meditate on them, we think things that are lovely. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (Jn. 16:33).

(6) Good Report (Good Repute - NASB) (Commendable - ESV). This term goes hand in hand with the previous one. There is so much sin and evil in this world, so many tragedies and terrible consequences. We can’t ignore them and often have to help others with them. We intercede and pray for those enduring them. But we must not dwell on them after we have done all that we can. Anxiety and worry were just dealt with (Phil. 4:6-7). We bring our requests to God, then allow the peace of God to guard our hearts and mind. Part of allowing “the peace of God to rule” is leave the bleak and desolate thoughts forcing our minds back into the bright future God has promised. Since agape-love, is “kind,” “thinks no evil,” and “believes all things,” good report stays within these boundaries. (1Cor. 13:4-7).

(7) Virtue. Virtue describes anything that is the best it can be. There are many things that could have been listed here. We complete the list with those things we know have the virtue of excellence in God’s eyes. This includes the seven things Peter asked to add to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5-8), the things in the sermon on the Mount that build a foundation of rock (Matt. 5-7), the greatest “agape-love” (1 Cor. 13), the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:8-10), and the virtue in the lives of the men and women in Hebrews 11. Cautiously and carefully we choose things that God has revealed are excellent to Him, all the while heeding Jesus’ warning: “For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Lk. 16:15).

(8) Worthy of Praise. Worthy of praise can be taken in two different ways. First, there are the things that we can do and think that will bring praise from God to us. Second, there are the things we can consider that will bring praise to God from us. Both of these are important. Seeking the praise of God is a powerful motivation (Jn. 12:42; Rom. 2:29). These are thoughts that will bring “well done good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:21) But of equal value are those thoughts that bring praise to God, such as the beauty and peace that shines through the darkness of the curse are all around us. Many of them are among the things that are unseen.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:16-18)

Conclusion. These eight words will do for us what God had told Joshua long ago. They “shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Josh. 1:8)