Read: Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Reflect:

The Christian’s life is to be a thing of truth and also a thing of beauty in the midst of a lost and despairing world. – Frances Schaeffer

Truth matters. Think about what is true.

“Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure” – Paul reminds us of the importance of meditating on truth, but what truth? There are those who judge what is true by their feelings. Others are pragmatic and state that something is only true “if it has the truth of meaning of theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application.” But, Hebrews 6:18 gives us another standard when the writer reminds us that “it is impossible for God to lie.” If that is true, and I believe it is, we can depend on what He declares to be truthful. His revealed truth guides us in terms of what is right and wrong, moral and immoral – so in order to consider or dwell on what is true we must have a working knowledge as to what God says is true.

Truth guides us to honor the honorable, uphold what is right and helps us pursue a certain purity of heart that is reflected as a “thing of beauty in a lost and despairing world.”

Respond:

The question for us is how committed are we to what is objectively true? Do we actually give it any serious thought or do we just go with the flow?

The commitment to truth is a reflection of something more than just maintaining a positive attitude. As Schaeffer stated in the quote above, a life that is based on truth is “a thing of beauty in the midst of a lost and despairing world.”