8 Things Paul Encourages Men to Think About

If you watch futurist motion pictures, you understand one among mankind’s biggest fears is somebody determining every thing you and I take into consideration. Yet, what we’re considering defines nearly every thing else about us. So, why the deep concern? And, how will we overcome it?

We discover the reply within the e book of Philippians, chapter 4, verse 8. It says: “Finally, brothers, 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.”

This verse’s eight key phrases completely describe the Lord and His Word and fill its pages from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. As effectively, the eight phrases describe various biblical heroes.

Best of all? These eight phrases can describe you and me.

Here’s one thing else fascinating: Many of the biblical heroes are girls, each excellent and actual. Ideal girls like Wisdom and the Virtuous Woman. Real girls like Ruth, Rebekah, Rachel, and lots of others. Yes, it’s good to consider them. Notice how steadily their names present up under. Let’s unpack every of those eight issues Paul encourages us to consider:

1. True

Up to the final web page of Scripture, “true” describes the Lord and every thing He says. After all, we’re instructed emphatically that God “does not lie” (Titus 1:2) for “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). But that’s not all. The time period “true” additionally describes the phrases of those that belief God and obey Him. So, “true” can describe you and me and what we aspire to consider.

An exceptionally “true” verse: “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). To imagine that is to safeguard ourselves from a thousand errors.

2. Noble

The phrase “noble” describes the Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31:10, Proverbs 31:29, and see Proverbs 12:4), Ruth (Ruth 3:11), Jesus Christ (James 2:7), a good-hearted one that receives God’s Word and produces an incredible harvest (Luke 8:15), the Bereans (Acts 17:11), the work of elders (1 Timothy 3:1), and also you and me.

In every thing you and I believe, say, and do, we will aspire to be noble.

My favourite “noble” verse is, “But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand” (Isaiah 32:8). Tip: This is an excellent simple verse to memorize. Go for it!

3. Right

The phrase “right” and its synonyms seem greater than 925 occasions from Genesis 4 to Revelation 22 in all however 4 brief books every within the Old and New Testaments. “Right” describes the Lord, His Word, Jesus the “Righteous One,” and those that belief God and obey Him, together with you and me.

I really like this “right” verse: “All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right” (Luke 7:29). May you and I do the identical!

4. Pure

The phrase “pure” describes the Lord, the gold within the Tabernacle and Temple, and far more (particularly in Job and Psalms). As effectively, it is without doubt one of the first phrases taught by Jesus (Matthew 5:8) and is utilized in Paul’s writings to explain devotion to the Lord.

Do you bear in mind the final time you met somebody whose coronary heart clearly was pure? Thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have that very same sort of coronary heart.

A “pure” prayer: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10).

I encourage you to put up this prayer the place you’ll see it every single day. Pray it out of your coronary heart for 14 days in a row and also you’ll be extra pure.

5. Lovely

The phrase “lovely” and synonyms describe the Lord, the Promised Land, Jerusalem, the Tabernacle, the Temple, and the New Jerusalem. As effectively, they describe Job’s daughters (Job 42:15), Sarah (Genesis 12:11-14), Rebekah (Genesis 24:16 and 26:7), Rachel (Genesis 29:17), Moses (Exodus 2:2 and Acts 7:40), the clothes of Aaron and sons (Exodus 28:2 and 28:40), David (1 Samuel 16:12), Abigail (1 Samuel 25:3), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2), Tamar and her niece by the identical identify (2 Samuel 13:1 and 14:27), Abishag (1 Kings 1:3-4), Vashti (Esther 1:11), Esther (Esther 2:7-12), the Two Lovers (Song of Songs 1-7), the Herald of Good News (Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15), and godly girls (1 Peter 3:3-4).

That final entry means I can add my spouse, Renée, to the record. Together, we actively worship the Lord for who He is, which is gorgeous. What’s extra, how good that we will thank the Lord day by day for His sovereignty (greatness), windfall (steering and goodness), holiness (glory), love (graciousness), and thriller (“God alone knows”).

A “lovely” psalm: “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!” (Psalm 84:1).

6. Admirable

The phrase “admirable” and synonyms describe Abel (Hebrews 11:4), Enoch (Hebrews 11:5), Job (Job 29:11), Paul and Silas (Acts 15:40), Phoebe (Romans 16:1), and elders (Titus 1:7). Like different phrases listed above, it describes each somebody’s character and what he thinks about. Each day, could you and I be admirable thinkers. For me, one of the simplest ways to do this is to begin every single day with prayer, inspiration, and Scripture studying.

An “admirable” proverb: “A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised” (Proverbs 12:8).

Yes, the world is awash in faux information, offended tirades, pornographic photographs, and different warped messages. In all you and I do, let’s stick to what’s admirable.

7. Excellent

The phrase “excellent” and synonyms describe Wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-20 and eight:1-35), the Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31:10), and Ruth (Ruth 3:11), whose e book instantly follows Proverbs within the historical Hebrew Scriptures. It may describe you and me, particularly if God’s love flows in and thru us.

An “excellent” verse proper earlier than the Love Chapter: “And yet I will show you the most excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31).

8. Praiseworthy

The phrase “praiseworthy” and synonyms likewise describe Wisdom, the Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31:30), Ruth (Ruth 2:5-16 and three:11), and also you and me, particularly if we develop praiseworthy character, integrity, genuineness, and integrity. It’s arduous, however I actually lengthy to be proof against the world’s applause and to dwell each second stuffed with the Holy Spirit, similar to Jesus.

A “praiseworthy” verse: “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4).

Like the apostle Paul, let’s actively select to consider what’s true, noble, proper, pure, pretty, admirable, wonderful, and praiseworthy. If so, what you and I say and do will ultimately reveal our Christ-like character to a watching world.

David Sanford coaches leaders captivated with demonstrating the relevance of Jesus Christ in each main sphere of life. His e book and Bible initiatives have been printed by Zondervan, Tyndale, Thomas Nelson, Doubleday, and Amazon. His talking engagements have ranged in every single place from The Billy Graham Center on the Cove (NC) to UC Berkeley (CA). 

Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Riccardo-Bresciani