Whatever

Philippians 4:8 “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.”

 

Our Wednesday evening Small Group at church is viewing the Christian Family Psychologist Gary Smalley study series “The DNA of Relationships”. In our last session, Dr. Smalley stated that one of the action tools that he uses in making decisions is running the issue through Philippians 4:8 in order to determine if is reasonable and worthy of consideration as a child of God and Christ follower for pursuit and engagement. It is a simple test, but quickly brings to light whether or not we should contemplation such things in life. It requires a correct definition of words though. 

 

First check point: Is it true?  Meaning, is what I am thinking about 1. Conformable to fact; being in accordance with the actual state of things. 2. Genuine; pure; real; not counterfeit, adulterated or false; as a true Christian. 3. Faithful; loyal; not false, fickle or perfidious. 4. Free from falsehood. 5. Honest; not fraudulent. 6. Exact; right to precision; conformable to a rule or pattern; a true likeness of the original. 7. Straight; right. 8. Not false or pretended; real; as, Christ was the true Messiah. 9. Rightful. 

 

Second check point: Is it noble? Meaning, is what I am taking under consideration 1. Great; elevated; dignified; being above everything that can dishonor reputation. 2. Exalted; elevated; sublime. 3. Magnificent; stately; splendid. 4. Free; generous; liberal; as a noble heart. 5. Ingenuous; candid; of an excellent disposition; ready to receive truth. 9. Of the best kind; choice; excellent; Jeremiah 2:21.

 

Third check point: Is it just? Meaning, is what I am reflecting upon 1. In a moral sense, upright; honest; having principles of rectitude; or conforming exactly to the laws, and to principles of rectitude in social conduct; equitable in the distribution of justice; as a just judge. 2. In an evangelical sense, righteous; religious; influenced by a regard to the laws of God; or living in exact conformity to the divine will. 3. Conformed to rules of justice; doing equal justice. Just balances, just weights. 4. Conformed to truth; exact; proper; accurate; as just thoughts; just expressions; just images or representations; a just description; a just inference. 5. True; founded in truth and fact; as a just charge or accusation. 6. Innocent; blameless; without guilt, 7. Equitable; due; merited; as a just recompense or reward.8. True to promises; faithful; as just to one's word. 9. Impartial; allowing what is due; giving fair representation of character, merit or demerit.

 

Fourth check point: Is it pure?  Meaning, is what I am deliberating upon 1. Separate from all heterogeneous or extraneous matter; clear; free from mixture. 2. Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy.3. Genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated; as pure religion. 4. Unmixed; separate from any other subject or from everything foreign. 5. Free from guilt; guiltless; innocent. 6. Not vitiated with improper or corrupt words or phrases; of discourse or composition. 7. Disinterested; as pure benevolence. 8. Chaste; as a pure virgin. 9. Free from vice or moral turpitude. 10. Ceremonially clean; unpolluted. 11. Free from anything improper; as, his motives are pure. 12. Mere; absolute; that and that only; unconnected with anything else. He did that from pure compassion, or purely good nature.

 

Fifth check point: Is it lovely? Meaning, is what I am contemplating amiable; that may excite love; possessing qualities which may invite affection.

 

Sixth check point: Is it of good report, of any virtue, and worthy of praise? Meaning, is what I am giving my attention to something that will render us beloved, and make us well spoken of, as well as well thought of, by others. Bible Commentator Matthew Henry asks, Is it anything really virtuous of any kind and worthy of commendation? If there be any virtue, think of these things—imitate them in what is truly excellent among them, and let not them outdo you in any instance of goodness. Virtue has its praise, and will have. We should walk in all the ways of virtue, and abide therein; and then, whether our praise be of men or no, it will be of God.

 

When we question our thoughts and decisions through the six check points of Philippians 4:8, we discover the godly or ungodly factors for living a life that right in the eyes of the Lord and keeps our walk in-tune with the Holy Spirit because we’ll have the right “whatever”. 

In Christ, Brian