In a world that struggles to recognize God’s goodness, it should not be surprising that a significant amount of information we are bombarded with each day is related to the problems and evils of this world. And this negativity and darkness is counter to what our primary focus and attention should be, as is noted in Philippians 4:8, NIV: “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”. Just to be clear, in stating that we should focus on truth over negativity and darkness, that does not mean that we do not address issues and problems. However, this is about where our priority and focus should be, because that will influence how we live and view the issues and problems of the world.
So, we are called as our primary focus to look to what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Although I will not elaborate on the whole verse, there are two aspects of the verse that I want to emphasize and ponder here. The first of the virtues listed in this verse is to focus on whatever is true. John MacArthur notes that “thinking on whatever is true means reading, analyzing, and meditating on the Word of God. The remaining seven virtuous categories of thought are all based on the truth of God’s Word. All of them are ways to view the truths of Scripture” (MacArthur, 2001, p.290). So, how much do Americans, or even specifically Christians, emphasize daily reading and meditation on scripture? According to Barna (2021), 66% of U.S. adults fall in the category of reading the Bible less than weekly to never, while only 16% of U.S. adults report reading the Bible most days each week. Unfortunately, the research does not speak to the level of engagement and meditation on the scripture of those who read the Bible regularly, as that may give us even more insight into our actual Bible reading practices. Think about how our lives would be transformed by an ongoing focus on the truth of the Bible; on things that are noble and lovely and right, instead of things that are negative, hurtful, and degrading. For this is what the Bible says about how scripture can shape our lives: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).
We are also called to think about and mediate on what is praiseworthy. I think in many ways this is about how our daily focus and meditation on scripture (or our lack of focus on scripture) transforms our attitude and heart. Meditating on God’s Word helps us to focus on the eternal and to praise the God of the Universe and the Creator of all things in all circumstances, instead of being bogged down by the challenges and difficulties of the temporal. Ralph Venning (1669) noted that “Ever since, it has been every man’s lot to come into and go out of this world naked, to show that he has no right to anything, but lives on the alms of God’s charity and grace. All we have or hold between our birth and death is clear gain and mere gift. God might choose whether he would allow us anything or not, and when he has given he may take back again, and none of us has cause to say anything but what Job did: ‘Naked came I into the world, and naked shall I return; the Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord’ (Job 1.21). All we have, our food and raiment, is only lent to us. We are only tenants at will, and therefore, seeing we deserve nothing, we should be content with, and thankful for anything (1 Timothy 6.7,8)”. In our self-seeking world of entitlement and pleasure, how easy it is, even after reading God’s Word, to sometimes be quickly overwhelmed in our minds by the day’s distractions, stresses, and problems. However, meditating on what we are reading in the Bible allows us to understand that everything that we have and experience, even our trials and hardships, are a gift from God, and it is worthy of praise (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”).
Ponderings:
How often do you read and dwell on what is true – the Word of God?
What is your focus throughout the day- is it on seeing your life as full of worldly pleasures, challenges, or difficulties, or is it on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy?
What is the biggest influence on what you focus on throughout the day? How might you continue to transform your mind to be on those things we are actually called to think about and ponder.
Meditation:
Chris Rice, Great is Thy Faithfulness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
,Resources:
Barna (2021). State of the Bible 2021. https://www.barna.com/research/sotb-2021/
MacArthur, John (2001). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Phillipians.
The Holy Bible. New International Version.
Venning, Ralph (1669). The Sinfulness of Sin. https://www.apuritansmind.com/wp-content/uploads/FREEEBOOKS/TheSinfulnessofSin-RalphVenning.pdf