The "Whatsoever Things"

Back when our daughter was young, our church had a program for girls called, "Missionettes". There were various names for the different age groups, and each had a motto and Scripture verse. For grades 3 through 5, the group was called, "Stars", and each time we had a special event the girls would quote Philippians 4:8 as their verse:

 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,       whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, 

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;

 if there be any praise, think on these things."

 ~Philippians 4:8, KJV

It was always impressive to hear these young girls rattle off the verse with little or no effort.  When I would attempt to quote the verse, I struggled to, first of all, remember all the "things", and then secondly, get them listed in the right order.

With so much focus given to COVID-19 and politics these days, I find it refreshing to revisit this verse, and challenge myself to change my focus. At the top of the list is "whatsoever things are TRUE".  For me, there is an absolute truth, and it is found within the pages of the Bible.  To others, however, truth is a bit more "relative", meaning what is true for me may not necessarily be true for you.  It seems to me, establishing an absolute truth also helps sort out the rest of the items on the "whatsoever things" list.

When it comes to being honest, things work out best when your honesty is aligned with the steadfast rules outlined in the Bible.  The same goes for those things which are labeled as just, pure, lovely, and of good report.  Unfortunately, we are living in a day and age where right and wrong are often confused for one another, and one could easily be told "their version" of the truth is wrong.   

Students of the Bible should not be surprised at this.  In Isaiah 5, this type of confusion is listed among the "Woes and Judgments" declared by the Lord Almighty.

        "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness

             for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

                                                                        ~Isaiah 5:20

In Paul's second letter to Timothy, he warned there would be coming a time when people would not endure sound teaching, but "having itching ears" they would accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.  If this was true back then, think of how much more expanded these false teachings have become throughout the centuries.  Once again, without a basis of "absolute truth" found in the pages of the Bible, everyone's perspective of truth becomes skewed.

For a good lesson on suppressed truth in God's eyes, get out your Bible and take a few minutes to read Romans 1:18-32.  You will find there were those who, although they knew God, neither glorified Him as God, nor gave thanks to Him.  This darkened their hearts, and turned them into fools, though in their own minds they saw themselves as wise.  Verse 25 tells us they "exchanged the truth of God for a lie", which brought forth a long list of unnatural and depraved actions, ones which you can find outlined in verses 26 to 31.  It's sad to see all of these actions being played out before our eyes in our modern day culture.  

Wouldn't it be nice if the truth of God could regain it's lost ground?  As my friend, Louise, and I used to say, "I can't change the world, but I can change me!" Take time in the days ahead to examine your idea of what is true, and line it up with God's Word.  Does it stand the test?  Or does some of it fall into the category of where His truth was exchanged for a lie?

It may require some focused reading of God's Word, and some time spent humbly in God's presence to change your viewpoint, but, once established, it will help you look at the world through a new lens.  Those true, honest, just, pure, and lovely things will take on new meaning in your life, and it will be easier to seek out the things of good report. When you do, chances are you will also find many reasons to praise God, even in the midst of a very mixed up world.