Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
In Paul’s very warm letter to the believers at Philippi, he encourages them to occupy their minds with the true, the noble, the just, the pure and the lovely. This saying, and others like it, may make attractive wall texts, but the counsel is from God, and it was given with serious intent.
Well, perhaps this is asking too much. Can we just lay this wisdom to one side and get on with life? Are there consequences if, instead, we clutter our minds with dramas and celebrity gossip, fashion and sport, endless news of dubious worth, and perhaps a thousand other things to which life gives us ready access, but which could never be counted as true, noble, just and pure?
Yes, there are consequences. Our knowledge of God becomes more distant and more feeble. Faith limps along, if it all, and love is reduced to mere courtesy. What is worse, this condition will, unless the child of God wakes up to what is happening, begin to reinforce itself as desire fades and as habits become entrenched.
When someone is malnourished, we are quick to recognise the symptoms and we know where the remedy lies. Why are we not just as quick to see the symptoms of spiritual malnutrition? There are many believers who are listless and dull of heart, having neither strength nor appetite for what they should know is right and good. Surely this is not a mark of good spiritual health.
Thankfully, even in such a weakened condition, God’s children can still cry out to their ever-faithful God. They can begin again to pursue righteousness, find fellowship, and fill the once wasted hours with good things, profitable and nourishing. Then they will again rejoice as the light of life begins to shine in and through them, ever brighter and brighter, to the glory of God.
The principle that Paul set forth to the churches of Galatia applies no less in the situation we are considering here. Let us take heed.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
(Galatians 6:7-8)
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