Philippians 4:8 - Honoring True and Venerable Thoughts

Key Verse: Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are venerable... think about these things. — Philippians 4:8, RLIV

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1. Opening Thought: What We Dwell On Shapes Who We Become

"As he thinks in his heart, so is he." — Proverbs 23:7, RLIV

Paul doesn’t start with actions or words. He starts with thoughts. Why? Because thoughts are the root. What we let live in our minds will eventually shape our character, our words, and our walk with Jehovah.

We can’t always control which thoughts come to us. Like Jesus in the wilderness, Satan still tempts with ideas that appeal to our flesh — hunger, pride, doubt. Thoughts of exaggeration, suspicion, or division flood in daily. But we can choose which thoughts we keep. Having a thought is not the same as making it our own.

Reflection: Today, notice the difference between a thought that passes through and a thought you entertain. Which ones are you inviting to stay?

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2. Think on What Is True

The Greek word Paul uses is alēthēs — not just “factually correct,” but truth that aligns with God’s character and Word. This is truth with weight. John said of the apostles’ testimony, “we know that his testimony is true.” — John 21:24

So what does “true” exclude?

• Foolish fiction and time-wasting fantasies
• Evil suspicions and idle gossip about others
• Theologies and ideas of men that deny the Gospel
• Exaggerations we use to justify ourselves

Satan’s oldest tool is planting untrue thoughts: about God, about ourselves, about our brothers. Conflicts often start not with what someone did, but with what we assumed they meant.

Jesus modeled this when Satan said, “Command these stones to become bread.” The thought registered, but Jesus didn’t own it. He answered with Scripture and rejected the lie.

Reflection: Is it true, or is it false? Ask this before you replay a conversation, form a judgment, or share a story. If it’s not true, no matter how appealing, let it go. “Buy the truth, and sell it not.” — Proverbs 23:23

When we love the truth: We gain reverence. We gain wisdom. As David said, “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day… your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies.” — Psalm 119:97-98

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3. Think on What Is Venerable

Paul’s word here is semnos — grave, honorable, worthy of reverence. Ellicott notes it “claims a share of reverence due primarily to God.” It’s the kind of thought that belongs in worship.

This isn’t about being somber all the time. It’s about serious consideration of what honors Jehovah. It means weighing our thoughts with honesty and gravity:

Venerable thinking excludes:

• Deceit and hypocrisy
• Evil scheming or intrigue
• Slander, plunder, or deliberate falsehood

Venerable thinking includes:

• Honesty with ourselves before God
• Thoughts that reflect Christ’s mind in every situation
• Esteeming what Jehovah esteems — righteousness, mercy, purity

Jesus didn’t just avoid sin; His mind was set on the Father. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.” — Isaiah 26:3

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4. The Heart Connection

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” — Luke 6:45

We can’t cover ignoble thoughts with noble actions for long. If we sympathize with falsehood or dishonor, we defile ourselves from within. But when we purify our thoughts — choosing what is true and venerable — we purify our whole character.

Jehovah covers our fallen condition with Christ’s merit. Yet we’re not to be at peace with it. We’re to desire nobility. We’re to hunger for honor in our secret thoughts, in how we deal with God and others when no one sees.

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5. Personal Application: Training the Mind

This week, practice Paul’s filter in real time:

1. Test it: When a thought comes, ask: Is this true? Do I know it for a fact, or am I filling in gaps?
2. Weigh it: Is this venerable? Would I think this if Jesus were sitting next to me? Does it merit the seriousness of worship?
3. Replace it: If the thought fails the test, don’t just empty your mind — fill it. Replace it with Scripture, as Jesus did. Meditate on one promise of Jehovah today.

Watch especially during this harvest period. Paul warned the Thessalonians that some would “believe a lie” because they did not love the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12. With imperfect minds, we’re vulnerable. So we cling to what Jehovah has revealed and sell it not.

Holding fast to what is true will:

• Increase reverence for Jehovah
• Deepen devotion to our brothers
• Create more hunger for study
• Anchor the spirit of truth in our hearts

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Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Jehovah, You see every thought before it becomes word or deed. Forgive me for the times I’ve entertained what is false or dishonorable. Train my mind to love what You love. Help me to test each thought by Your Word — to keep what is true and venerable, and to cast out what is not. Keep my mind stayed on You, that I may walk in peace and reflect Your Son today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Further Meditation: Psalm 119:97-103; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Ronald R. Day, Sr. (ResLight)

See also:

Video

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Philippians 4:6 - In Nothing Be Anxious

{Philippians 4:6} In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. - RLIV.

THE question may arise, Why will not God give us the things which He sees us to need without our making petition to Him and claiming His promises? Undoubtedly because we need previously to come into the proper attitude of heart to receive His favors and to be advantaged by them. Even as it is, we may be sure that we do not sufficiently appreciate the divine care bestowed upon us hitherto and now. Even in the attitude of prayer and thanksgiving we probably do not discern one-half of our causes for gratitude, as we shall see them by and by, when we shall know even as we are known. -- Charles Taze Russell, Excerpt from "Rejoice in the Lord Alway", The Watch Tower, January 1, 1903, page 5 (quote is from page 8, Reprints page 3128).

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If our hearts are overly-anxious about life's affairs we are surely being robbed of rest and peace, which, in turn, would indicate a lack of faith. In everything, in affairs in the home, in business cares, in guidance of wayward children, in poverty, in all trials, cares, temptations, wants, woes, disappointments, calamities, failures, etc., we should always cast our burden on Jehovah through prayer, and we are assured that He will sustain us. (Psalm 55:22) At the same time, we should constantly be thankful for whatever His providences may allow. The thankful heart of the child of God recognizes that He who favored us and redeemed us through His Son will even more so favor us and do for us now that we are His. 

We doubt that any of God's people will claim that their lives are 100% without anxiety. Nevertheless, when we get any kind of anxious feeling, we should immediately take the matter to the Heavenly Father in prayer, and leave it with him. Doing so will alleviate the anxiety that might otherwise cripple our faith and servitude of our Father through Jesus. Additionally, we should always keep in mind what Paul stated: "Rejoice in Jehovah always! Again I will say, Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4, RLIV) While it may be difficult to have rejoicing in our hearts while undergoing unpleasant circumstances, such rejoicing will help alleviate anxiety and make all distressing experiences more bearable.

Sadly, many in the world make requests to stars, cakes, Santa Claus, and many other things. Paul tells us that we should make our requests, our petitions, known to God, our Heavenly Father. In whatever we ask of the Father, however, it should not be for the satisfaction of the desires of our sinful flesh. James tells us, "You ask, and don't receive, because you ask amiss, so that you may spend it for your pleasures." (James 4:3, World English) Prayers for fleshly desires may actually increase anxiety rather than alleviate anxiety. Our prayers should always be in harmony with what Jesus said to his Father: "Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."  (Luke 22:42, World English) Again, this should be from the heart, not just an outward expression, otherwise, our hearts may become subject to anxiety. 

Paul also mentions thanksgiving. Heartfelt thanksgiving shows appreciation for the Heavenly Father's provisions, not just for any fleshy sustenance, but more importantly, for all help along spiritual lines. Such thankfulness, however, should be not simply a matter of words recited by the mouth, but it should come from the inner being of the child of God. 

-- Ronald R. Day, Sr. (ResLight)

Related:

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* Philippians 4:5 - Let Your Gentleness Be Known

Romans 8:3,4 -- Sin in the Flesh Condemned

{Romans 8:3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 

{Romans 8:4} that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. -- RLIV.

Jesus, while in the days of his flesh (Hebrews 5:7), through his absolute obedience to God, thereby condemned sin the flesh. None of Adam's offspring could do this, for they were all of sinful flesh, having been made so through the sin of Adam. (Romans 5:12-19) Jesus' flesh, however, was prepared by God separate from the condemnation in Adam. (Hebrews 10:5) Thus, Jesus is the only human being that was born into this corrupted world without sin, and he was the only human being that could offset the condemnation of mankind through Adam, if he -- unlike Adam -- remained without sin. Jesus did remain without sin, and thus could offer up his sinless humanity on behalf of Adam and all who are dying in Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:21,26; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; 1 Peter 2:22-24; 3:18) Jesus, by his obedience, proved that a sinless human being could obey God's law, and thus, by means Jesus' sacrifice of his humanity, God remained just while providing a means of justification to the sinner through Jesus. -- Romans 3:26.

Further comments:

As Adam was sinless before he sinned and brought sin into the world of mankind (Romans 5:12), the God and Father of Jesus (Micah 5:4; Ephesians 1:3) especially prepared a sinless body for Jesus (Hebrews 10:5) so that Jesus, while in the days of his flesh (Hebrews 5:7), did not inherit the sin of Adam and its condemnation. (Romans 5:12-19) Unlike Adam, however, Jesus, while in the days of his flesh, never fell short of the glory of his God (Romans 3:23), and thus could offer his body of flesh with its blood to his God for our sins. 

It is only because Jesus was indeed a human being, having the full crown of glory a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:9), sinless -- never having fallen short of the glory of God  (Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5) -- that Jesus' obedience condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:30, and by his sacrifice of his humanity, made the way for God to remain just, while yet justifying the sinner. -- Romans 3:26.

Nevertheless, we believe that Jesus, before he became flesh, had a mighty glory when he was with his God from a time even before the world of mankind was made. (John 1:1-3; 17:1,3,5) When he became, or was made flesh (John 1:14), Jesus received from his God (Micah 5:2) a body of flesh (Hebrews 10:5), with a glory of a sinless man, a little lower than the angels. (Hebrews 2:9) Jesus sacrificed that body of flesh with its blood as an offering to God for our sins. -- Hebrews 9:11,12,23,24,25; 10:1,10.

Jesus condemned sin the flesh, and his offering for sin provided for justification, something that the Law could not do because of weakness of the flesh, which all of Adam's descendants have inherited through Adam. 

Paul many times made it clear that one cannot be justified by keeping the Law Covenant, and he made it clear that the only way one can be justified in this age is through faith in Jesus. At the same, we need to remember that the Law Covenant is based on God's eternal righteous standards, thus the Law presents the righteous principles of God's law of love. Thus, Paul wrote, that Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk after the law covenant given to flesh, but rather after the spirit, the law of love. Thus, the goal of a regenerated child of God is to cultivate the fruit of the spirit. -- Galatians 5:22,23. 

-- Ronald R. Day, Senior.

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Sinful Flesh

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James 1:26 -- Bridle the Tongue

James 1:26 - If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. -- New American Standard Version.

The word "religious" is translated from a word that carries various shades of meaning. Abbot-Smith gives it the meaning of "careful of the outward forms of divine service." It is common to confuse the service of God with outward ritual or sectarian religious devotion, which, in effect, may be a devotion to ceremony and/or to certain leaders, placing such leaders as being the same as, or having some kind of exclusion in representing God and Christ.

However, James applies this in the context of the use of the tongue, regarding the words that come forth from our mouth. One may profess to honor God with the lips, but words spoken in common usage reveal what is in the heart. -- Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6; Luke 6:45. 

A bridle is used to guide a horse or other animal. James used this as a figure of how we should guide, or control our tongue, that is, the words we speak. James expresses in the context that if one has full control of his tongue so as to not trespass with his words, that one is a perfect man. At the same time, he points out that this is not the case, for we all use our tongue in some way that falls short of the glory of God, due to the fallen flesh. (Romans 3:23; 5:12-19) Although it should not be, we all at times misuse our tongue for gossip, slander, cursing, and/or swearing, often without realizing we have done so. James tells us, however, that we should, to a great extent, gain control over the words we speak, even if that control is not fully perfected in our fallen flesh. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

More comments:

Most of us commit some sin every day; if not every day, at least many times every week, possibly without even being aware that we have fallen short, especially when it come to how we use our tongue. I have not met anyone who does not in some way fall short in using their tongue. Indeed, if one has full control of his tongue that person is perfect. (James 3:2) But none of us will ever reach such perfection while we still have our sinful flesh. -- Romans 8:3. 

Whether in anger or by habit, all of God's people at times swear and may even curse, and many times gossip. (Matthew 5:33-37; James 3:3-8; 5:12) All who belong to Christ are in constant need every day to have heart repentance for such sins, while striving against all sin (Hebrews 12:4-17; James 1:26; 1 Peter 3:10), and come before the throne of grace. -- Hebrews 4:16. 

As long as our sin is due to the weakness of the flesh (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; Romans 7:18-25;8:3), it is not such a sin that brings the condemnation of the second death. (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:16,17) Only after the new creature has an accurate knowledge of the truth, and then willfully sins (not a sin due to the weakness of the flesh), there is no more a sacrifice to be offered for such. -- Hebrews 10:26-29. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for February 20 * BSM Aids * Video

Unto the Pure All Things Are Pure

Truthful Words -- Polite Speech

Faith in Control of the Tongue

Control of the Tongue a Necessity

Common Swear and Curse Words

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* Proverbs 3:3 - Don't Let Kindness and Truth Forsake You

Do not let kindness and truth forsake you; fasten them around your neck. Inscribe them on the tablet of your heart. -- Proverbs 3:3, RLIV