Good Will Thinking

Philippians 4:4-9

Verse 8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

    We continue on our journey through Paul’s list of things to think on and today we come to the word admirable.  Once again this is a word we may not use regularly in our day to day lives but it is an important enough thing to make it on the list.  Our previous items have seemed a bit more specific in their meaning while admirable seems a bit more open in how it is defined.

    It isn’t fully open to interpretation as it must remain in the perimeters of the other things on the list but it is not going to be the same for everyone.  Just as one person likes one kind of bird over another or one person likes cats versus dogs, we each have things we find more likable than others.  Because of these preferences the things we find admirable may be varying as well.

    Once again the Greek word used by Paul is only used here, there is no other place it is used in Scripture.  It is specific to this list to remind us to think about things which are of reputable.  These admirable things are to bring us joy as they draw our thinking to the One who gives things which are worthy of talking kindly about.

    Thinking about things which are admirable can include thinking good things about those who are good natured or that do good things for others.  It can mean thinking the admirable about things which may not be what we want, kind of like looking at the brighter side of things.  For example it is thinking about the beauty of a snow storm instead of thinking merely about how it is disrupting life.

    This whole list is about righting our thinking by intentionally giving thought to those things which help us remember the goodness of God.  Whether it reminds us of His majesty through His creation, His holiness through His sacrifice or His justice through His being the perfect truth, we are given a reminder in this list to turn our focus back to Him and what He is wanting to do in and through us, this whole list is reminding us to think on what is of good report.

Making It Personal

    What are some of the admirable things which you think about?  Do you find it hard to look on the good side of things?  What do you need to change your thinking about today?

Making It Personal Kids

    What kinds of things do you admire?  Do you make it a habit of trying to think about these kinds of things?  What can focusing on those things do for your attitude?

Closing Prayer

    Father, thank You for this reminder to look for the admirable things in life.  Help us keep our focus on all the things You put in our life to admire and help us remember to give You the praise for them.  In Jesus’ name, amen.