Think on These Things - Whatsoever Things Are Honest

Introduction

 

As we look out over the horizon of this great nation, we see things, things that are not consistent with the great nation we once were. We see signs of the decadence of a crumbling society moving toward the more extreme.

As we watch this unfold it’s quite troubling. We wonder sometimes how this could possibly get any worse. Well, these are just the beginning of sorrows. It’s prophesied to get much worse such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

 

As Jeremiah put it before the fall of Jerusalem, if we can’t run with the footmen, how will we contend with the horses?

 

Jer 12:1, 5 NKJV

(1)  Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?

 

(5)  "If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?

 

In other words, if you’re infuriated, frustrated, and frightened now, while you’re still living in relative peace, how are you going to cope when the real calamity strikes?

 

We would like to think that once we give our life to Christ, as long as we stay close to God, all will be well and without heartache.

 

 

Joh 16:33 KJV  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

You SHALL have trouble, anguish, tribulation. In Jesus Christ, there is peace not shepherded away from trouble but through the trouble.

 

Wasn’t Paul close to God and in His good graces? Didn’t he still suffer troubles, anguish, and tribulation?

 

What we have faced thus far is relatively little compared to what’s coming.  Paul went through some terrible things in his service to the Lord. Our experience thus far pales by comparison.

 

2Co 11:21-28 KJV

(21)  I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

(22)  Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

(23)  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

(24)  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [thrashed within an inch of his life]

(25)  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

(26)  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

(27)  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

(28)  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

 

 

 

Yes, despite all that Paul had been through, he found a way to cope with all the trials and persecution he suffered at the hands of the Sanhedrin, amidst the tyranny of Roman occupation, and all the hardships of travel.

 

Php 4:11-13 KJV

(11)  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

(12)  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

 

Wouldn’t that be wonderful to be at peace regardless of our circumstance, to be content?

 

Paul says here that he has been “instructed” how to be both full and hungry at the same time. The word used here means instructed in the sense of being “initiated into the secret” of how to be both full and hungry at the same time. This is something not readily apparent. He had to learn it over time through experience. He is revealing to us what he discovered in the process.

 

He learned, rather than bemoan the circumstance, to adapt.

-       Not become exasperated but exhilarated

-       Not overwhelmed but overjoyed

-       Not infuriated but invigorated by the Holy Spirit

-       To count it all joy and take it in stride

 

Paul’s Secret Strategy

 

The apostle Paul tells us how he was able to be content and at peace regardless of his circumstances and exhorts us to learn to do the same. His simple two-step process, his secret formula developed through experience, is one we can apply in our lives today, and tomorrow, to overcome the tribulations and stresses and prepare to be able to cope even during the times yet worse to come.

 

We must ready ourselves the way Paul prescribes.

 

Step One – Prayer and Supplication to God

 

Php 4:4-7 KJV

(4)  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. [be of good cheer]

(5)  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 

Your moderation here means your forbearing spirit, meekness even under provocation.

 

(6)  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

(7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

Lay it all at God’s feet. If we are to rejoice and to let our light shine before all men, we must first go to God in prayer with our concerns. God doesn’t fault us for being anxious. He knows what it’s like. Christ has told Him. He’s right there advocating on our behalf. We are to lay our cares at the feet of God’s throne thanking him for his compassion and love for us, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. (1Pet 5:7)

 

This first step is absolutely essential if we’re to accomplish step two. We must first let go of our concerns and free our minds of them or we’ll never be able to go on to step two.

 

I’m assuming we know how to take our cares to God in prayer. The focus of this sermon is on Step Two of Paul’s Secret Formula.

He developed a strategy and he shares it with us and advises us how to do what he did.

 

 

 

 

Step Two – Think On These Things

 

Php 4:8 KJV  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, G4586 whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

Eight Things We Are to Think About

Think on these things, not our worries and cares. These eight things.

 

I began this study by examining the words of Philippians 4 verse 8 in 37 different translations of the Bible. I then copied them into a spreadsheet and filtered out the duplicate words so that I ended up with only the words that were unique to each translation, the essence of all of them, the short list. My study since has been to examine each of these words.

 

 

Php 4:8 Chart

True	Honest	Just	Pure	Lovely	Good Report	Virtue	Praise
True	Decorous	Fair	Holy	Acceptable	Admirable	Deeds of Approbation	Deeds of Praise
True	Grave	Right	Clean	Amiable	Commendable	Excellence	Deemed Worthy of Praise
True	Have Honor	Righteous		Beautiful	Good Fame	Excellence of Character	Deserves Praise
True	Honorable	Upright		Friendly	Good Repute	Excellent	High Praise
True	Modest			Lovable	Honest Report	Good	Praise of Discipline
True	Noble			Pertain to Love	Honorable	Moral Excellence	Praiseworthy
True	Serious			Pleasing	Kind & Winsome & Gracious	Right	Worthy of Praise
True	Venerable			Worthy of Love	Of Value	Truly Worthwhile
True	Wins Respect				Proper	Uprightness
True	Worthy of Respect				Respected	Virtue & Excellence
True	Worthy of Reverence Honorable & Seemly					Worthiness

 

 

 

True was “true” is every single translation, absolute truth. But “honest” was much broader in scope of translation and more comprehensive. We’ll consider some of those today.

 

The word translated as “think,” in other bible passages is translated as “impute,” “counted,” or “reckoned.” These things are to be imputed, or counted, reckoned. These are Christian values that we are to hold dear. We hold them in high regard, and seek them out. We’re to make them a part of who we are.

 

Then he says this –

 

Php 4:9 KJV

(9)  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

We have a part to play too. We lay our cares at the feet of God’s throne and the peace which passes all understanding will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. But if we don’t replace those cares and fears and dread with something positive, what happens?

 

We’ll pick them right back up again.

 

So, what do we do? What is Paul’s strategy? We need to think on these things he told us; focus on them, study them, and meditate on them.

We need to think more deeply about each and every one of these things to fully grasp their meaning to derive all the benefits Paul speaks of.

 

 

 

 

 

Diogenes of Sinop looking for an honest man

Diogenes - the philosopher Diogenes sought in Athens and Corinth. "With Candle and Lanthorn, when the Sun shin'd I sought Honest Men, but none could I find."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whatsoever Things Are – Honest

 

What does it mean to be honest?

Honest

Grave/Serious

Modest/Seemly/Decorous (act with a certain decorum)

Noble/Venerable

Honorable

Worthy of Respect & Reverence

 

God’s Word is rich in meaning and always carries with it a deeper spiritual sense than first appears on the surface. This word translated “honest” in the King James carries so much more weight than just telling the truth. It carries truthfulness, of course, but also at the core of one’s character, it includes morality, honor, and uprightness.

 

These things Paul tells us to think on are not just platitudes to look for outside of ourselves but qualities of life and values, adherence to these values and moral principles, a code by which to live. What we commonly call Judeo-Christian values.

 

Next, let’s start by taking a look at some every day words we use, terminology that comes to mind when we think about things that are honest. These are expressions, stories or old adages that have become commonplace in our language just by their use.

Things like –

 

George Washington chopping down a cherry tree – “I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree.” Demonstrating his character by being upright and accountable for his actions. This never actually happened but was fabricated by his first biographer, Mason Locke “Parson” Weems. Nevertheless, it has become folklore that every child my age learned growing up. True story or not, the Father of our Country developed a reputation for being –

 

As honest as the day is long – this guy is as honest as one can be

 

Honesty is the best policy – It always works out best in the end if we’re honest. Being dishonest might seem to be the easy way out but it always comes back to bite you, the truth has a way of always coming out

 

An honest mistake – anybody could have made this kind of mistake, happens all the time, it wasn’t intentional, don’t be too harsh

 

Honest Abe – Abraham Lincoln developed quite a reputation for truthfulness and honesty as a shopkeeper and later as a lawyer. He would run across town with a just few pennies or a measure of flour when he realized he had accidently shorted a customer.

As a lawyer, he established quite a reputation for always telling the truth, something lawyers of his day were not particularly known for.

As I was studying into Ol’ Abe, I discovered he was quite a wrestler back in the day having a win record of 299-1 in his “wrasslin” matches.

 

Always tell the truth. There’s less to remember. – Once you tell one lie, you have to tell another to cover that one, and then another, and another and you have to remember who you told which lie

 

Little white lie – you tell just a little lie to make someone feel better or to keep from hurting their feelings but you know, God knows, and very likely the person you’re lying to knows you’re stretching the truth.

 

Telling a “half-truth” – telling the truth but holding something back, being covert, leaving out a pertinent piece of information. Technically, it’s not a lie, but technically it is. Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Abraham got in a bit of hot water for this one – (Gen 12 and Gen 20)

Example of Abraham and Sarah – afraid that he would be killed, he said she was his sister (half-truth), she was his half-sister but also his wife

Pro 12:17-22 KJV

(17)  He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

(18)  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

(19)  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

(20)  Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

(21)  There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

(22)  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

 

Verse 20 says, they imagine evil because deceit is in their heart. They conjure things up in their mind.

 

Revelation speaks of not only telling a lie but just making a lie will keep you out of the Kingdom. Just imagining it! (Rev 22:15)

 

 

 

 

Deceit – Guile

 

Sadly there are many people and entities that are not honest but are downright deceitful, intentionally.

 

Pro 12:5-6 KJV

(5)  The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

(6)  The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

 

Honest weights & measures in the Bible – (Deut 25:15 and Prov 16:11)

These people can’t wait to get back to making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit (Amo 8:5 KJV)

 

Luk 16:8 KJV   ... for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. [wiser in the ways of this world]

 

2Ti 3:13 KJV  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

Edward Bernays (Nov. 22, 1891 – Mar 9, 1995) who wrote a book called, Propaganda and was as a pioneer in the field of propaganda and advertising and is known as the father of public relations said the following:

 

“We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.” ~ Edward L. Bernays

 

“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.” ~ Edward L. Bernays, Propaganda

 

“As civilization has become more complex, and as the need for invisible government has been increasingly demonstrated, the technical means have been invented and developed by which opinion may be regimented.” ~ Edward L. Bernays

 

It’s hard for us, who are honest, to imagine there are people who deliberately set out to deceive others. It never ceases to amaze me, the thousands of ways that criminals devise to steal money. If they just applied that ingenuity towards honest means, they could make quite a decent living.

 

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Mat 10:16)

 

We must prepare ourselves to live among such people.

 

Deceit is guile.

Guile is deceit.

Deceitful people tell lies.

 

Lies

 

Pro 6:16-19 KJV

(16)  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

(17)  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

(18)  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

(19)  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 

 

Satan is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

 

 

Rev 21:8 KJV  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

Rev 21:27 KJV  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

Or even maketh a lie!

 

It’s a spiritual thing. Making a lie says something about the spirit.

 

Psa 32:2 KJV  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

 

Christ was our example regarding guile –

 

1Pe 2:21-22 KJV

(21)  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

(22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

 

 

Modest/Decorous

 

 

Modest –

 

Unassuming, unpretentious, avoiding impropriety or indecency

 

Rom 12:3 NLT  Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Decorous –

 

One should act with decorum, in good taste, and propriety. Honest and humble about who we are. Not putting on airs or acting out of character. We need to know our place and act properly in accordance with the setting.

“This is not the time nor the place to bring that up.”

 

Honorable/Have Honor

 

Honorable means so much more than just being honest but in accordance with or characterized by principles of honor, integrity, and respect.

 

There can be honesty without integrity, but no integrity without honesty.

Integrity is honesty proven over time, stalwart.

 

Some terms we use when thinking about things that are honorable are –

 

Honor System – unsupervised and expected to do what’s right, to be honest, to not cheat or steal; e.g. grading your own test in school

Honor Box – farmer’s market vegetable stand; there’s no one there to take your money, a certain amount of trust is placed in the purchaser

 

Code of Honor – rules to live by, that if you do, you will not fall to dishonor but live a life worthy of respect

Honor-Bound – to feel you must take action because it is your duty to do so because it is morally right, even in the face of fear

Medal of Honor – for going above and beyond the call of duty

Buried with full military honors – decorated soldier worthy of paying special final respects

 

“Your Honor” – In court, address the judge as, “Your Honor,” a man of principles and right judgment, who has earned the right

 

Wedding vows – love, honor, and obey (or cherish) – treat your spouse with love and respect always as well as honoring the marriage itself

Defend your wife’s honor – her virtue, her reputation when someone steps out of line and disrespects her

Similarly, you may say a man was prepared to fight to defend/protect/uphold his family's honor.

 

“On my honor” – when your honor is pledged; sometimes called “sacred honor” because it is who we are as a person of character, willing to die for it

The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, the closing line –

“For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

 

This is essentially what God did when He made a covenant with Abraham in Gen 22:16. Paul refers to this in Hebrews 6:13 –

 

Heb 6:13 KJV  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself

 

Bear your name with honor – family name, nation, organization

 

Do not do or say anything that would embarrass or dishonor your family, your country, or the organization you represent. We may say we are proud Americans or proud Texans - not prideful, or arrogant which are personal but representing them with honor.

 

We are proud to be called Christians. We represent our Lord with honor.

 

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Mat 10:33)

 

 

 

 

God’s name – Christ’s name

 

Third Commandment - We are not to take God’s name in vain, but to bear it with honor. (Exo 20:7)

 

2Ti 2:19-21 AMPC

(19)  But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof [apart] from it.

(20)  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].

(21)  So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.

 

“Bear Christ’s name with honor” – for Jesus’ sake and the gospel’s. (Mark 10:29-30)

 

What about stories in the Bible? What do they teach about being honest?

 

Example of Zacchaeus, the tax collector (Luke 19) – Dishonest, a cheat. Would Jesus accept a dishonest tax collector? He gave it all back fourfold.

 

Example of the prodigal son (Luke 15) – honest with his father, honest with himself, humble

 

Example of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) – Deceit and guile, holding back some of the proceeds pledged from the sale of their property

 

Example of Joseph’s brothers (Gen 37) – faked his death – Deceit; the truth came out, as it always does; a beautiful story of forgiveness

Example of Achan (Joshua 7) – the accursed thing – hid it and lied – a Liar, and he was stoned in the Valley of Achor

 

These are all lessons for us to learn by. (1Cor 10:11)

 

 

Noble/Venerable

 

Having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals; accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character:

 

A noble workman approved unto God –

 

Act 17:10-11 KJV  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  (11)  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

 

2Ti 2:15 KJV

  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

Showing oneself ready to receive the Word of God, and to rightly divide the word of truth is a noble thing.

 

Example of King David

 

King David insisted on purchasing the threshing floor from Araunah the Jebusite in 2 Samuel chapter 24 – demonstrating how noble David was

 

 

 

 

2Sa 24:18-25 KJV

(18)  And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

(19)  And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.

(20)  And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

(21)  And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

(22)  And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

(23)  All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king [David]. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.

(24)  And the king [David] said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

(25)  And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

 

"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self." ~Ernest Hemingway

 

Example of Boaz and Ruth

 

Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, Boaz, was described as one who was noble, a mighty man of property and wealth.

 

Rth 2:1 KJV  And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

 

 

Rth 2:1 HCSB  Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side named Boaz. He was a prominent man of noble character from Elimelech's family. [Holman Christian Standard Bible]

 

The Pulpit Commentary

This friend of Naomi on her husband’s side is said, in King James’s version, to be a mighty man of wealth. But the expression so rendered has, in the very numerous passages in which it occurs, a conventional import that stretches out in a different and nobler direction. The word for wealth used here has a moral sense.

 

Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Of her rich kinsman, Boaz, a mighty man of wealth, Rth_2:1. The Chaldee reads it, mighty in the law. If he was both, it was a most rare and excellent conjunction, to be mighty in wealth and mighty in the scriptures too; those that are so are mighty indeed.

 

Expositor’s Bible Commentary

The best point in Boaz is that he so quickly and fully recognises the goodness of another and will help her because they stand upon a common ground of conscience and duty. Character is known by character, and worth by worth. Boaz recognized Ruth to be quietly faithful in the service, however humble, to which God had called her.

 

Ruth too was of noble character.

 

Rth 3:11 NIV  And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.

 

 

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." ~Helen Keller

 

 

 

1Co 1:26, 30-31 NKJV

(26)  For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

 

(30)  But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

(31)  that, as it is written, "HE WHO GLORIES, LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD."

 

But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1Cor 6:11)

 

We were not always so but we ARE noble in Christ Jesus who became so for us. Washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God!

 

Christ - the noblest of noblemen –

 

Luk 19:12 KJV  He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

 

We need to become like this Nobleman thinking on whatsoever things are noble.

 

Grave/Dignified/Serious

 

Honesty is linked to godliness.

 

1Ti 2:1-2 KJV

(1)  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

(2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. G4587

 

semnotēs – same word translated as “gravity”

Tit 2:1-8 KJV

(1)  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

(2)  That the aged men be sober, grave, G4586 temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

(3)  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

(4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

(5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

(6)  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

(7)  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, G4587 sincerity,

(8)  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

 

Paul speaks to young Timothy of those fit to be ordained –

 

1Ti 3:8-11 KJV

(8)  Likewise must the deacons be grave,G4586 not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

(9)  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

(10)  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

(11)  Even so must their wives be grave,G4586 not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

 

Worthy of Honor, Respect, Reverence

 

If someone wins your respect, you hold them in high regard, in high esteem. Esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person for a personal quality or ability.

 

They are Worthy of Honor, Respect, and Reverence

Such that are held in such high regard are often crowned with glory and honor. It doesn’t start out that way but they must prove to be worthy of such over time.

 

We start out totally corrupt and enmity with God and must come to Him in fear and humility. Over time as the Holy Spirit builds godly character in us, we can reach an honorable state worthy to God, by grace, through Christ.

 

 

Psa 91:14-15 KJV

(14)  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

(15)  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

 

“because he hath known my name” – calls upon my name -  then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Gen 4:26) meaning became known by my name, sons of God

 

Pro 21:21 KJV  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

 

Love God and follow after righteousness and mercy. Seek honor from God, and not from man.

 

 

Why Think on These Things?

 

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson, (1803–82), U.S. philosopher and poet.

“You become what you think about all day long.”

 

 

You can think about good things, positive things, or you can think about evil things, negative things. You become what you think about.

 

Mat 12:35 KJV  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

 

The treasure of the heart is stored up by the thoughts of your mind. Reading and hearing God’s Word, for example, thinking on these things Paul tells us, for another.

We must be diligent to make sure the heart stores up good treasure.

 

Pro 4:23  KJV  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

Out of it are the issues of life.

 

Because you are what you think about all day long, out of the heart are the issues of life, as man thinketh so is he, we must be deliberate in what we think about and what we allow into our minds and hearts.

 

Paul had been initiated into this secret through his experience and shares it with us. He says, “Think on these things!”

Are we thinking about good things, honorable things, noble things?

Are we more than conquerors or are we just victims of circumstance? (Rom 8:37)

 

We approach our circumstance in accordance with our mindset, what we believe to be true in our hearts and minds. Is our heart deceitful above all things or is it full of good treasure?

 

It’s critical in determining how we respond to the vagaries of life.

 

Chuck Swindoll – is senior pastor at Stonebriar Community Church, in Frisco, Texas. You may know him from his Insight for Living radio program which airs on more than 2,000 stations around the world.

He is quoted as saying –

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

 

Viktor Frankl – (March 26, 1905 – September 2, 1997) was a Jewish-Austrian WWII concentration camp survivor. Afterwards he founded a school of psychotherapy called logotherapy. He describes the search for a life's meaning as the central human motivation.

He wrote a book called – Man’s Search for Meaning

 

And he says this –

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

 

We can only imagine the atrocities he experienced in a German concentration camp during WWII. Yet he survived to tell this. Between what happens and our response to it, there’s a space, a bit of time where we can pause and consciously choose how we want to respond.

 

Both these men are telling us that how we frame our circumstance has a profound impact on our view of life, our happiness, and our motivation.

How you think about a situation and how you respond to it is determined by your outlook on life. The issues of life that come from the good treasure of your heart.

 

When chaos is happening all around, remember why it’s happening. Man has turned his back on God and gone his own way.

Take a step back. See things for what they really are – an affront to God. Stand back and view things objectively from God’s perspective.

 

Things are not falling apart. They’re falling into place exactly as He said they would. Why should we be surprised or dismayed?

 

We must prepare our hearts now for the chaos coming just over the horizon so that we will respond appropriately in a godly manner when it does come.

 

God’s still in charge. He’s still on the throne. We can be at peace. Unexplainable peace. Paul tells us how.

If you are in right standing with God, trusting in Him that all things work together for good, you already know this.

 

As God’s people, we’ve been blessed with a most amazing gift, two gifts really – the Word of God, his Holy Bible and his Holy Spirit to guide us so that we can make sense of it.

And because He’s so graciously opened our minds to the truth, we cannot but speak of His glorious honor, the things we ‘ve seen and heard, of His glorious Kingdom.

 

Act 4:18-20 KJV

(18)  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

(19)  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

(20)  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

 

We cannot help but speak of God’s glorious honor and all His wonderful works. (Psa 145)

 

Psa 145:5, 11-12 KJV

(5)   I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

 

(11)  They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

(12)  To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

 

We cannot but speak of all His mighty acts and the glorious majesty of His Kingdom.

 

Conclusion

Our nation was meant to be a model nation to the rest of the world. For much of our history it has been, and God was pleased that it was so.

However, we’ve put Him in an untenable position where He can no longer bless us. We as a nation, have profaned His name. (Eze 36:20)

We no longer bear His name with honor. This cannot stand.

 

As we see the dishonesty and moral decay multiply all around us, we’re reminded today of who we are by contrast, sons and daughters of the Living God. May we live honest lives and bear His name with honor though others may profane it. May we be a light shining in a dark place to give hope to those who still seek His face.

 

We must be intentional in what we think about and what we allow to enter into our minds – holding every thought captive.

 

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2Co 10:5 KJV)

 

Alexander Solzhenitsyn (December 11, 1918 – August 3, 2008) was a Russian writer and a prominent Soviet dissident. 

He wrote, "Many of you have already found out, and others will find out in the course of their lives, that truth eludes us if we do not concentrate with total attention on its pursuit."

 

We must concentrate with total attention to keep our hearts with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

Follow Paul’s simple two-step secret strategy and the peace that passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1.     Through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

2.    Think on these things

 

In critical, crucial times such as these, it’s important to stop for a while and Think on These Things – Whatsoever Things Are Honest.

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