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Philippians 4:8

Let it go! Let it go!

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I wonder how it is possible for us to truly worship God in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24), “with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37), if our heart, soul, and mind are filled with worry and anxiety.

Jesus told the multitude to let go of life’s worries (Matthew 6:25-34).  We find this theme throughout the life of Jesus that our worry does not achieve the purposes of God. In the parable of the sower Jesus explains the various obstacles to The Word. He tells us that the ones who received seed among the thorns, “they are the ones who hear The Word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).

Just before Paul directs his readers to think about these things: “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,” he reminds us of the call of Christ regarding “cares of this world.”  Paul, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, who declares at the end of this letter, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, . . .” (Philippinas 4:19), implores us to “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).

“Be anxious for nothing” is a process of letting go of our need to be in control, turning to God in faith, opening our heart, soul, and mind to Him, and let His Son shine in.

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
Flooding my soul with glory divine;
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Now I am ready to worship. Now I am ready to praise. Now my thoughts can run to things like, “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,”

Think about things that are honorable

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The practice of thinking about good things, as we are directed to in Philippians 4:8, is a physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy endeavor. The greatest benefit, in my opinion, is to be certain that each of the given things is understood correctly. The second item in the list of six is one that deserves some investigation. If we misunderstand the thing about which we are to focus our thinking, then our thoughts may run in a totally unintended path.

Our word today is most often translated either “noble” or “honorable.” If we can ponder what things are noble and honorable, we will probably be thinking in the right and profitable direction. However, the King James Version translates this word “honest” and produces totally different thoughts. “honest” things are good but will probably take us down the same path as “true” which was our first thing in Philippians 4:8. It is also not a good translation of the Greek word.

I also want to differentiate here between “honorable” and “praise-worthy.” Later in verse 8, we are instructed to include anything praise-worthy. Honorable and noble are different. When men and women are given awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (The Oscar), it is because they have done something deemed worthy of praise. When a woman or man receives a Purple Heart or other metal during military service to our nation, it is to recognize actions that are noble and honorable. When a contestant on American Idol sings with power, beauty, and skill, they may be worthy of praise, but they have done nothing that is deserving of honor. When a fireman abandons all fear and forces her way through a burning home to rescue a small child, she has committed a noble and honorable act.  When a pastor stands and delivers a beautiful Sunday sermon, he may be worthy of praise. But, when a believer refuses to deny her faith in Jesus Christ while threatened with certain death, and with her dying words gives a witness of Jesus’ love to her accuser, she is a noble and honorable disciple.

What things are noble? What things are honorable? Think! What actions are noble? What character is honorable? At this point you may be tempted to think about things you see that are dishonorable. There are people around you who can not be described as noble. Stop! Don’t go there. It does not contribute to your health or to any worthy conversation. Think about noble and honorable moments, people, actions, attitudes, words, ideas, ideals, and practices. Let your thinking about noble and honorable things be thoughts that are themselves noble and honorable.