This passage is perhaps my favorite passage in all of Philippians. I memorized this very early in my spiritual life, and it has been a source of strength to me for years.

You can find this passage in Philippians 4:8-9:

Since this is such an encouraging passage to me, I have written about each of the characteristics that Paul mentions before, and examined them in greater depth. But today, they are worth looking at again as we examine this section of Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

It’s easy to get caught up in the list that Paul gives, and miss the final statement. Keeping our focus, as Paul encourages us to do, results in God’s peace. This isn’t the first time in chapter four that Paul brings up the topic of peace. He did so just a couple of verses earlier, in verses 6 and 7, as he was giving details about prayer.

Prayer causes the mind to focus. Paul’s words here are an encouragement to also focus the mind, giving us a parallel to the attitude of prayer already given. The key part of this is the continual nature of keeping our focus. Paul isn’t giving us these terms for us to attempt once in a while. No, this is a mindset to develop habitually, and to maintain at all times. It’s a lifestyle.

With that in mind, let’s look briefly at each descriptor in turn. I have included a link to my previous posts on each of these if you are interested in looking deeper at these terms.

Whatever is true

This term doesn’t mean the truth that one comes to after a logical process of thinking as much as it does that our thoughts conform to reality. The idea here is that of truthfulness, that comes from Christ, who is the truth.

Whatever is noble

Something that is noble is worthy of being revered or respected. Something that is noble is worthy of being worshiped. Noble things are not cheap nor vulgar.

Whatever is right

This third term give the idea of rightness or justness. This means being in accordance with God’s standards. This is something that we cannot achieve on our own; Christ accomplished this on our behalf. These are some of the kinds of things we should dwell on with our thoughts.

Whatever is pure

Purity of thought means to have proper motives, to not dwell on sinful things, but to dwell on things of God. The more I despise my sin, and all sin, the more I reflect the purity of God.

Whatever is lovely

This term refers to something that is lovable by its very nature. And as we think on the concept of love, we are suddenly reminded of the fact that God himself is love.

Whatever is admirable

Something that is admirable is something that is an object of wonder, pleasure, or approval. This is something that is kind, not something that could be found to be offensive.

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy

These final two words are kind of lumped together in Paul’s statement. And they give us the final piece of the puzzle about what we are to be dwelling on in our thoughts. Something that is excellent or praiseworthy is something of incredible value, that is worthy of praise and highest honor. What could this be descriptive of? God.

As Paul wraps up this section, he gives the Philippians his own example as one to emulate, just as he did in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Whatever characteristics Paul has displayed to the people of Philippi, those are the characteristics that they need to practice. Paul wasn’t perfect, by any means. But he did manage to keep his focus continually on God, providing an example for us all.

And what is the result of all of this? God will be with us. The God who is a God of peace. We will be satisfied.

Because God is enough.

Question: How is your thought life? What do you need to do to bring it more in line with these characteristics? You can leave a comment by clicking here.