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What is true: Philippians 4:8

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  • What is true: Philippians 4:8

    Philippians 4:8 is one of the most famous verses from Paul's letters. We often hear it in the context of discouraging people from consuming entertainment with adult content.

    Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.

    I took a closer look at it today and realized I hadn't thought much about "what is true". What exactly does this mean in this context? I think I always thought of it of being in a context of learning about the natural world (like watching educational nature programs, and learning about God's creation), but that doesn't seem to do justice to the context (plus you might argue it somewhat conflicts with Paul saying he wanted to know nothing but Christ crucified).

    What if this refers to not passing along/spreading rumors/gossip? That seems to make more sense with Paul's general teachings. It's also a takeaway that Christians in an age of conspiracy theories could reflect on, if this interpretation is accurate.

    Anybody else have any thoughts?
    "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

  • #2
    Is it good that we have people asking scripture-based questions again. This just seems noble, right and pure.

    we also have to be careful that the world will want to spread rumors and gossip. So we are not to just accept what the world tell us. We are to discern the spirits.

    I do not like it too much when people use "you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free" with topics other than the gospel. But I would not tear those people apart for misusing that.

    I'm not fully caught up on Paul's approach in Philippians. But it seems that Paul is talking about truth about the gospel and how it relates to their relationship with each other.

    Comment


    • #3
      I think any discussion of the verse needs to include reference to Jesus' famous declaration in John 14:6: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

      Sorry, I'm rushed right now. I'll try to come back later.
      "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

      "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
        I think any discussion of the verse needs to include reference to Jesus' famous declaration in John 14:6: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

        Sorry, I'm rushed right now. I'll try to come back later.
        Good catch. That has to be the most famous use of the word "truth" in Scripture, other than Pilate's flippant statement.
        "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

        Comment


        • #5
          (Later took longer than I thought. Sorry about that.)

          It is certainly a valid application of the verse to say avoid adult content and gossiping. However in this section of Philippians, Paul is not stating avoid these behaviors. Paul is stating do these things. So as the OP asks, what does it mean to "...think about such things"

          I think Paul's higher education is showing through here. I think he was trained to think about truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, admirable, excellence, or praiseworthy as concepts to be reflected on and meditated on. And if you think about these things, you eventually start thinking on God. What is the definition of truth? God. What is the definition of righteousness? God. What is the definition of purity? God. And so on.

          Now this is all well and good but how do you make it relevant to the person in the pew? I think many a pastor end up watering down the verse to avoidance. I suggest what Paul may be thinking is to see more of God in the world. So if you see a beautiful sunset, think about how that sunset is a manifestation of God's beauty. To be clear, I'm not saying God is the sunset. I'm saying the sunset is beautiful because it is a reflection of God's beauty. You can go on down the list with the same idea and application.

          It takes a lot more than just this verse to come to the realization that one thing God wants us to think about less is ourselves. He wants us to think about others but mostly about Him. This is another verse that tries to break the "I" and start one thinking about "you."
          "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

          "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

          Comment

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