Think about this ... what is honorable?

THINK ABOUT THIS - What is honorable ...

" ... whatever is honorable ... think on these things." Philippians 4:8

We are looking about Paul's exhortation from Philippians 4:8 about the things that characterize men who THINK VICTORY! Yesterday we looked at thinking on truth. Today we look at thinking or dwelling on what is honorable. Dr. John MacArthur, in his commentary of Philippians, says that "believers are to think on whatever is honorable, whatever is noble, dignified, and worthy of respect. The word honor comes from a word meaning 'to revere,' or 'to worship.' In its other New Testament uses, it describes the dignified lifestyle required of deacons (1 Timothy 3:8), deaconesses (1 Timothy 3:11), and older men (Titus 2:2) Believers must not think on what is trivial, temporal, mundane, common, and earthly, but rather on what is heavenly, and so worthy of awe, adoration, and praise. All that is true in God's Word is honorable."

In his companion letter to the church at Colossae, Paul wrote, "Set your mind on things above ..." (Colossians 3:2) Literally that phrase means "keep on thinking about." A.T. Robertson says, "It does matter what we think and we are responsible for our thoughts. Paul does not mean that we should never think the things upon earth, but that these should do be our aim, our goal, our master. The Christian has to keep his feet on the earth - but his head in the heavens. He must be heavenly-minded here on earth and so help to make earth like heaven."

You've met men like this whose thoughts are riveted on the honorable not the junk of life. My friend, Pastor Newton Conant, lived life dwelling on the honorable. He forced himself to think godly thoughts and to dwell on heavenly things. He was not a stuffy, snooty old saint - but a man whose life was characterized by humility and love for people. When in his presence, you felt like you were in the presence of the Lord. He was vibrant, joyful, and always expectant of living the "Christ-centered" life.

His daily practice was to immerse himself in the Word and in prayer. He exhibited to me what it means to think about what is honorable. Reading the book of Proverbs every day will help you learn to think about RIGHT things ... the things of life that God says are honorable.

How is your thought life today? Purpose to memorize this important verse: Philippians 4:8.

Great quote: In heaven we shall appear, not in armor, but in robes of glory. But here these are to be worn night and day; we must walk, work, and sleep in them, or else we are not true soldiers of Christ. William Gurnall