For a Former Bad Girl, this week’s verse can be a challenge. Ugly words and sordid images sometimes linger in our minds ten, twenty, even thirty years after the fact—taunting us, shaming us, belittling us.
Help, Lord. Please.
Here’s my prayer: that God will use Philippians 4:8 to renew our minds and refill our hearts, so that words like “pure” and “noble” make us feel clean instead of unworthy.
Since it’s June, and roses are surely one of the most beautiful flowers on earth, I’ve chosen some of my favorite photos, hoping they’ll help us think lovely thoughts.
“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
This rose came from a bucketful of marked-down flowers at our Kroger supermarket. Even so, the color is stunning, isn’t it? Reminds me of a vibrant summer sunset in shades of orange and pink and red. Though the outer petals are slightly damaged from careless handling, and the edges are beginning to curl with age, it’s still a beauty to the One who created it, yes?
Right. We’re listening, Lord.
“Finally,…” Philippians 4:8
Let’s be honest. Everyone’s favorite part of a long speech is usually “in conclusion” (CJB).
But Paul’s letter to the Philippians was so powerful, so joyful, the young church must have been sad when he neared the end. He offered up this final call to a life of obedience, showing believers how to walk forward with Christ “from now on” (CEB) and “for the rest” (DRA) of our lives. “Here is a last piece of advice” (PHILLIPS), Paul says, “summing it all up” (MSG).
“…brothers and sisters,…” Philippians 4:8
Even if your favorite translation says “brethren” (KJV) or “brothers” (NLV), you can be sure Paul meant this for all who follow Christ—men and women. Adelphoi, the Greek word for ”brothers and sisters,” refers to all believers who are part of God’s family. “My friends” (CEV) strikes even a more endearing note, and “beloved” (NRSV) is perfect.
The following virtues aren’t meant to be a checklist—“Do this, and you’re in!” Instead they point us in the right direction and get us thinking in new ways.
“…whatever is true,…” Philippians 4:8
I love that Paul doesn’t spell out specifically what people are to noodle on. He trusts the Holy Spirit to help us “think about things that are true” (WE). Not just a handful of things, but “all that rings true” (KNOX). Nice range of possibilities there.
The first place to turn for Truth? God’s timeless, matchless Word. The psalmist wrote, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal” (Psalm 119:160). And Jesus prayed for his disciples saying, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).
So, if we want to focus on whatever is true, God’s Word is where to begin. That’s why I am totally blessed that you are here, studying the Scriptures with me.
More than once I’ve been called a “Bible-thumper” (which calls to mind a certain bunny from Bambi). Do I love the Bible? I do. Do I trust what it says? I do. Do I thump it? I do not. Listen, I’m not even comfortable putting a Bible on the floor!
I know the words between the covers are what make it sacred, not the paper and binding. Still, the Truth on those pages set me free. I’m not about to toss the Bible aside like it’s just any old book. Not this girl. Not in this lifetime.
“…whatever is noble,…” Philippians 4:8
The repetition of “whatever” is unusual—six times in one verse! It separates and emphasizes each thing we’re to think about. It also makes this passage read like poetry, as if each word was chosen with special care. Which, of course, it was.
Am I thumping again? Oh, I hope so. If a “Bible-thumper” is “an overzealous advocate of Christ,” I’m in—though it’s impossible to be overzealous when it comes to Jesus. He deserves all our zeal and then some.
As for “noble,” this is the only place the Greek word, semna, appears in Scripture. The literal meaning is “venerably grave.” Pretty intense. I’m sticking with “noble.” Maybe “honorable” (ASV). How about “seemly” (AMP) or “honest” (KJV) or “respected” (NLV)? All are fine translations of a word that brings to mind something high and lifted up, like a lofty idea or a noble ambition. Or the Lord.
Though a commoner by birth, Jesus is noble in every possible sense. Just as we look to God’s Word for what is true, we can turn to his Son for what is noble.
I know the whole WWJD idea—“What Would Jesus Do?”—got worn down to the nub in the ‘90s, but it’s still a solid yardstick for making decisions. We could also ask, “Is it noble? Does it aim for the highest possible moral ground? Does it bring honor to the name of Jesus? Is this what he would think about?”
“…whatever is right,…” Philippians 4:8
“Right” has nothing to do with where you stand politically. And it means a good deal more than just being right or wrong ethically. We’re to meditate on things that are “just” (RSV) and “reputable” (MSG) and “fair (GW), things that God would approve, that God would call “righteous” (CJB).
Wow. If we ran all our thoughts through that kind of filter, we would definitely be living out Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
I will confess to you right now, I am not there yet. I’ve been too busy being proud of myself for not doing or saying the wrong thing (forgetting entirely that God alone made that possible). Only lately have I begun to focus on not thinking the wrong thing. Groan.
So much for, “Hey, nobody knows what I’m thinking.” God knows precisely what we’re thinking. Every word, every image, every emotion. All of it.
I need a long, hot soak in a bath of grace right about now. To think that God puts up with us every time our mind wanders away from things that are true, noble, and right!
The next three would be even more daunting, if not for Jesus.
“…whatever is pure,…” Philippians 4:8
The actress Tallulah Bankhead once said she was “Pure as the driven slush.” Unfortunately, I get that.
Pure is one of those words that pushes me back a step. So do holy and chaste, and that’s precisely what this word means in Greek. Ready for worship. Ready to stand before God. That clean, that pure.
Who could ever manage such a thing? Then I remember Paul was encouraging believers to think on such things. Fix our gaze on them. Turn our attention toward them. Make a habit of meditating on them.
Don’t panic, beloved. Don’t think, “I can’t possibly be pure!” Only God can “purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). And he does. Continually. For no reason other than he loves us.
“…whatever is lovely,…” Philippians 4:8
Now here’s a word that doesn’t intimidate me. I love to think about lovely things, don’t you? You’ll not find this Greek word, prosphilés, elsewhere in Scripture either. We’re to think on things that are “pleasing, agreeable, and dearly prized.”
So, these roses. You weren’t thinking they were from my house? Lizzie Brown Thumbs? No, you’ll find them in the Wellington Botanic Garden. When I first saw row after row of rose bushes, each one more beautiful than the last, I could barely hold my camera steady.
That’s loveliness. Something that steals our breath. Something we can’t stop looking at. Something that so fills our heart with joy, there’s no room for sorrow, regret, or despair.
Lovely is a balm for our souls and a respite for our minds. “All that is lovely (KNOX), “beautiful” (ERV), “pleasing” (LEB), and “lovable” (AMP). Go there. Imagine that.
“…whatever is admirable…” Philippians 4:8
If you can believe it, this Greek word, euphémos—literally, “well reported of”—is another one that appears only in this verse. God is saying something rare and unusual and wonderful in Philippians 4:8. He has spun these words out of pure gold, meant to dazzle the mind’s eye.
He wants us to think about things that are “kind and winsome and gracious” (AMP), so that we might become those things. In a world in which cynicism has replaced witticism and being cruel to others—especially online—is par for the course, God is saying, “You can do better than that. You can be kinder than that.”
“—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—” Philippians 4:8
We sense Paul winding things up here. “Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile” (CEV), he tells us. Especially “if you value the approval of God” (PHILLIPS).
For those of us who struggle with wanting the approval of people, this simple statement has the power to transform us completely. This part of the verse isn’t talking about things for which people will applaud you. Oh, no. God is the one dishing out the kudos here.
As Matthew Henry put is, “Whether our praise be of men or no, it will be of God.”
“…think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
This is the final word, telling us what to do with all of the above. “Weigh and take account of these things” (AMP). Toss them on a scale where the arrow points toward Pleasing to God. “Focus your thoughts on these things” (CEB). “Fill your minds” (EXB), then “meditate on these things” (NKJV).
When I found this translation—“let this be the argument of your thoughts” (KNOX)—I thought immediately of the creature Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, arguing aloud with himself. Did those scenes look familiar to you as well? Back and forth. Good Liz, Bad Liz.
If you’re as weary as I am of engaging in a mental tug-of-war with your evil twin, God offers us this simple but profound solution: “be made new in the attitude of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23). Turn away from ugly. Look toward lovely.
“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
Now it’s your turn
Just two questions, beloved.
- Can you think of a time when you sensed the Holy Spirit guarding and guiding your thoughts, keeping your mind from going in the wrong direction?
- If this is a challenge for you, what might be a practical solution for this spiritual struggle?
We’d love to hear your experience. Just add your response under Post a Comment below. Bless you for taking a moment to add your voice to the conversation.
Next Wednesday, we’ll jump back into the Old Testament and unpack #10 of the verses you love. Another gem from Isaiah, and a splendidly visual one. I’m so ready to dive in!
Your sister, Liz
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