“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 CSB
A few days ago, dear Danielle and I were having a nightly recap of watching the TikToks we sent each other because we’re cute like that. I had seen a wild video of a security video of a bear climbing onto a trampoline, but as we watched it, I realized that it was an AI video and not real…which was so frustrating.
Thinking I had quickly seen a funny video, only to realize it was fake, was such a bummer because rather than seeing something real, I had been fooled. Now, I am not a fan of AI at all, I think God has made us creative, and cutting out a creative person for a lesser quality product is just wrong (not only that but the negative environmental impact of God’s creation doesn’t sit right with me). It’s harder to differentiate what is real and fake on digital platforms, and it reminded me of this Scripture where Paul encourages the church to dwell on things that bring praise and are true.
We are called to dwell on what is true in a world where truth is relative.
Now, before I go on, I just want to be clear that this post is not about how to tell everyone around you that they are wrong or living against what God has called us to. What this post is focusing on is your own walk. If we are not living for Christ and in a way that loves others and is a beacon for Christ alive in us, then we are not able to point out sin in the lives of others.
Matthew 7:3-5 shows that Jesus is clear on how we are not to point out sin when we haven’t dealt with our own, so this post is going to be about your own walk.
To dwell on whatever is true, you need to know the truth.
Pretty straightforward, and yet, the straightforward is often the first thing we forget. I’ve shared many times on this blog, in messages I’ve spoken, and in conversation that as believers we need to be in the word daily. It is foolish to think God will speak to you if you never go to the words he is speaking.
Scripture is here for us as God’s message to us, where the Holy Spirit makes clear the next step we are to take in our life.
You don’t need to be a Biblical scholar, you just need to have a desire to listen to what God has for you. So, take a step. Buy a devotional, use a free app, get a study Bible, be in the word so that when you are presented with something, you can trust that the foundation you have made is solid and firm.
Church is fantastic, but don’t let a Sunday service be the only time you are in the Word.
To dwell on whatever is true, you need to engage with the truth.
Reading is good, but putting it into practice is the call of the believer. Jesus left His disciples with the message of “go and make disciples,” meaning that faith must be active and one that grows. That means we need to put in some work when we are in the Word. Ask questions about the context of what you’re reading, I wrote about this a few weeks ago, so that you can better understand what you are reading. Start journaling what God is showing you through the word and write out your prayers so that you can watch how God is moving.
When you feel convicted, repent and change, that’s the Spirit prompting you to renew your heart. Are you being led to love others better? Are you being led to give to your community? Are you being led to drop bad habits and pick up good ones? Whatever you are hearing while being in the Word, you need to engage with that.
God can handle your questions, whether it’s not understanding what you just read or not understanding your current struggles and circumstances, you can bring that to God. You can also bring that to a small group or a church leader, because you are growing in the truth by engaging with it and making it alive.
We live in a world where culture shifts and changes all the time, and where cultural Christianity tends to prevail over actually following Jesus. This is where we see hateful people claim to follow Jesus and some that proclaim to be church leaders misconstrue Scripture to fit a narrative, rather than let Scripture write the narrative of Christ in our lives.
We need to be in the Word, not for knowledge but a daily renewal of our hearts that reflects the light of Christ.
Don’t let culture think for you, let the Holy Spirit be your guide as you navigate the world daily. It’s not about pointing out others, it’s about being the light for others. Be the one who is joyful. Be the one who looks out for others. Be the one who is known for how they love everyone around them. Be the light that makes people want to have what you have.
The only way you live like this, is by dwelling on what is good, and what is good, is the truth that Christ wants to reveal to you. Get after it.
- Your pastor and friend, Joshua.
About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the only social media he uses, Bluesky and Instagram
Joshua Writes 