StriperAddict
Senior Member
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, . . . honest, . . . just, . . . pure, . . . lovely, . . . of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Our lives are surrounded with ungodliness and demands that often bleed away our thoughts until we are worn and weakened. Reflect for a few moments on this inventory of empowering thinking.
• Truth--Literally "that which is not hidden"; Jesus Himself (John 14:6); the Word of God (Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17; "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" Psalm 119:11).
• Honesty--Not just accuracy, but "sober" and "venerable"; sometimes "magnificent" or "great"; used of church officers (I Tim 2:2... "for kings and all who are in <SUP class=footnote value='[a]'></SUP>authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and <SUP class=footnote value='[b]'></SUP>dignity."
1 Timothy 3:8: "Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not <SUP class=footnote value='[a]'></SUP>double-tongued, <SUP class=footnote value='[b]'></SUP><SUP class=xref value='(B)'></SUP>or addicted to much wine <SUP class=footnote value='[c]'></SUP><SUP class=xref value='(C)'></SUP>or fond of sordid gain" )
• Justice--Righteous, just, right, suitable; "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom. . . . The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" ("<SUP>31</SUP> The <SUP class=xref value='(A)'></SUP>mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the <SUP class=xref value='(B)'></SUP>perverted tongue will be cut out.
<SUP class=versenum>32</SUP> The lips of the righteous bring forth <SUP class=xref value='(C)'></SUP>what is acceptable,
But the <SUP class=xref value='(D)'></SUP>mouth of the wicked what is perverted."Proverbs 10:31-32).
• Purity--Morally and sexually chaste; closely connected with "holiness"; the emphasis is on physical and mental purity ("Beloved, now we are <SUP class=xref value='(B)'></SUP>children of God, and <SUP class=xref value='(C)'></SUP>it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He <SUP class=xref value='(D)'></SUP>appears, we will be <SUP class=xref value='(E)'></SUP>like Him, because we will <SUP class=xref value='(F)'></SUP>see Him just as He is." 1 John 3:2).
• Loveliness--Beauty, friendship, delight, and wonder are all suggested by the "good love" of this word ("Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even <SUP class=xref value='(A)'></SUP>Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these "Luke 12:27).
• Good News--This takes discipline, because there is far more bad news than good in this world; we are admonished to take "inventory" (dwell on, recall) the "good reports" ("Like cold water to a weary soul, so is <SUP class=xref value='(A)'></SUP>good news from a distant land."Proverbs 25:25).
These excellent and paiseworthy matters should dominate our thinking in a conscious "inventory" of the attributes on this final list. If we do so, God promises His peace in our lives.
From:
Right Thinking
April 19, 2012
Institute for Creation Research
Our lives are surrounded with ungodliness and demands that often bleed away our thoughts until we are worn and weakened. Reflect for a few moments on this inventory of empowering thinking.
• Truth--Literally "that which is not hidden"; Jesus Himself (John 14:6); the Word of God (Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17; "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" Psalm 119:11).
• Honesty--Not just accuracy, but "sober" and "venerable"; sometimes "magnificent" or "great"; used of church officers (I Tim 2:2... "for kings and all who are in <SUP class=footnote value='[a]'></SUP>authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and <SUP class=footnote value='[b]'></SUP>dignity."
1 Timothy 3:8: "Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not <SUP class=footnote value='[a]'></SUP>double-tongued, <SUP class=footnote value='[b]'></SUP><SUP class=xref value='(B)'></SUP>or addicted to much wine <SUP class=footnote value='[c]'></SUP><SUP class=xref value='(C)'></SUP>or fond of sordid gain" )
• Justice--Righteous, just, right, suitable; "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom. . . . The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" ("<SUP>31</SUP> The <SUP class=xref value='(A)'></SUP>mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the <SUP class=xref value='(B)'></SUP>perverted tongue will be cut out.
<SUP class=versenum>32</SUP> The lips of the righteous bring forth <SUP class=xref value='(C)'></SUP>what is acceptable,
But the <SUP class=xref value='(D)'></SUP>mouth of the wicked what is perverted."Proverbs 10:31-32).
• Purity--Morally and sexually chaste; closely connected with "holiness"; the emphasis is on physical and mental purity ("Beloved, now we are <SUP class=xref value='(B)'></SUP>children of God, and <SUP class=xref value='(C)'></SUP>it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He <SUP class=xref value='(D)'></SUP>appears, we will be <SUP class=xref value='(E)'></SUP>like Him, because we will <SUP class=xref value='(F)'></SUP>see Him just as He is." 1 John 3:2).
• Loveliness--Beauty, friendship, delight, and wonder are all suggested by the "good love" of this word ("Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even <SUP class=xref value='(A)'></SUP>Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these "Luke 12:27).
• Good News--This takes discipline, because there is far more bad news than good in this world; we are admonished to take "inventory" (dwell on, recall) the "good reports" ("Like cold water to a weary soul, so is <SUP class=xref value='(A)'></SUP>good news from a distant land."Proverbs 25:25).
These excellent and paiseworthy matters should dominate our thinking in a conscious "inventory" of the attributes on this final list. If we do so, God promises His peace in our lives.
From:
Right Thinking
April 19, 2012
Institute for Creation Research
