RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-05-14	Whatever Things Are Noble (Ph.4:8)
		Php 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. Paul does not want believers to be weighted down with anxiety and worry. He teaches us to guard our thought life by focusing on several uplifting virtues. Paul lists several worthy virtues among which is, “whatever things are noble.” The Greek word for “noble” means “honorable”, “anything worthy of respect”. They are the things that life the mind above the mud and scandal of the world. Paul understands the influence of one's thought life. Our inner thoughts and heart attitudes directly determine how we feel. They influence the way we live! Our hearts are like a fountain from which our emotions and feelings spring (Pr.4:23). Pro 4:23  Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Our society is constantly bombarding us with things to think about that are not noble. Paul tells us the ungodly, “suppress the truth” in their minds (Ro.1:18). Then Paul goes on to give detail of the sad outcome of their unholy thinking (Ro.1:21-25). If we fail to fill our minds with noble thoughts, we run the risk of substituting the truth about God for Satan's lies (Jn.8:44). On the other hand thinking on whatever is noble involves constantly filling our minds with God-honoring thoughts. The most honorable thing we can contemplate is the Word of God (Ps.1:1-3). Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. Psa 1:3  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. This Psalm extols the blessings of the one who rejects the “counsel of the wicked” but who “delights is in the law of the LORD.” To think on whatever is noble means to fix our minds on things that cultivate godliness (Cl.3:1-2). Col 3:1  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Col 3:2  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. As we ponder the noble, our thoughts will influence the way we live. It will steer us away from sin, and closer to the heart of God. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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