Mission Venture Ministries

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8) 

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christian community he established in Philippi to exhort them to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel and to imitate the humility of Jesus in everything they do. He was writing to them from prison in Rome. The purpose for writing them was to show them through his personal example and testimony that it was possible to make it through any situation with the right outlook and attitude. He was a true disciple of Jesus; and was a tremendously disciplined Christian, since an un-disciplined life is not worth living. The foundational word for disciple is discipline and it takes tremendous discipline to live the Christian life. 

Paul faced many hardships as a Christian but was always allowing the Spirit of God to give him strength in his continual walk with the Lord. His instructions were from personal choices that he had already been practicing himself and loved to share with others, since he knew the effectiveness and success of such living. 

The main message of Philippians 4:8 is to transform one’s thinking in order to have peace of mind since our thoughts become our habits and our habits become our reality and way of life. 

This verse is a guideline for continual growth and transformation in the life of a Christian since refusing to dwell on negativity and purposely focusing on positive thoughts are elements God uses to allow peace to grow and turmoil to diminish. 

Our lives are surrounded with demands that often take our focus away from God; therefore we should keep Philippians 4:8 in mind as a guideline of how to think and ultimately live according to God’s purposes for our life. 

Let’s take a look in more detail at this amazingly list of empowering thinking. 

• Whatever things are true: Refers to sincerity, honesty and truthfulness. Jesus said: “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Truth was exemplified in Jesus Christ through His earthly ministry and His words teach us that: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Truth is whatever conforms to the gospel and the revelation of God’s will in his Word. 

• Whatever things are noble: Refers to what is honorable, esteemed and revered in a person’s character. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17) and “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown…” (Proverbs 12:4). Paul has in view things that lift the mind rather than dragging it through the mud. 

• Whatever things are just: Meaning things that are honest and righteous. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). It refers to man’s relationship with others, dealing fairly with them in business and in day to day living. 

• Whatever things are pure: Refers to things that are unblemished and incorrupt. Christian should strive for purity of the mind and body, since, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). 

• Whatever things are lovely: Denotes to what is pleasing and precious to life, as Colossians 1:10 tells us, “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

• Whatever things are of good report: Meaning actions that are commendable. This includes respect, kindness, and graciousness. It speaks of an outward expression that others can see emanating from a Christian’s heart. Things that are reputable and worthy of respect. “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake…” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). 

• If there is any virtue: Refers to conforming one’s life and actions to pure and righteous life practices produced through obedience to God’s Word. The fruit of the Spirit produces virtue in the lives of believers. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23). 

• If there is anything praiseworthy: Points to things that are done correctly but not for gaining personal glory for doing something well. Paul is talking about deeds and thoughts that by their very nature move people to admiration and praise. 

• Meditate on these things: Means to give careful consideration to the topics you are focusing on. Transformation is essential in the life of every true Christian, since salvation is meant to change Christians and save them from the things that want to hold them in bondage. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). What Paul describes here is a practical way to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 

Philippians 4:8 is a great tool for decision-making, since, when we are confronted with a difficult choice, we must ask, “Is it true? Is it consistent with the moral and theological principles of God’s Word? Is it an honorable thing? Is it right and just? Does it make think lovely and pure? Is it the sort of thing we could recommend to others? Does it encourage us to pursue excellence? Do we hear Christ-loving people praising our decision?” 

Remember that when we put good things into our mind, they stay there and then are communicated in a positive way. That is why Paul reminds us that we must constantly reject those things that do not draw us closer to God and to consciously focus on the things that bring us closer to Him, since we have the ability to choose what we think about. 

As we see, these excellent and praiseworthy principles should be the ones to dominate our thinking and if we do, God promises His peace in our life. Paul is reinforcing what Jesus taught that if He is the Lord of our life, out of our hearts will flow streams of living water and everyone that you meet will be refreshed because the love and holiness of Jesus is flowing through your life. 

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