Better Living Through Right Thinking

Over the years the promise of better living has been suggested through many means. A quick Google search reveals the possibility of better living through chemistry, alchemy, design, birding, dentistry, pharmaceuticals, TV, coffee, technology, bitter melon (?), and the list goes on. The desire to improve ones’ life is probably universal. It is true that one advertisement from a few years back suggested that “It don’t get no better than this,” referring to a life bathed in a particular brand of beer, but I suspect that would only be true for a narrow slice of the population – though probably a larger slice than better living through birding.

There is a promise of better living that applies to all people at all times. The path to a better life is found in the Apostle Paul’s advice to the Philippians: “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things.” Here is a universal formula for better living.

I make that claim because of the verb Paul used in his advice: think on (λογίζομαι) these things. The Greek dictionary offers these synonyms for “think on”: calculate, compute, count, and reckon. I reckon that if I think on those things listed by Paul, if I count the ways, compute the results, and calculate how my life might improve, it will lead to better living. A look into each of the suggested things to think on will provide the necessary proof.

First, think on whatever things are true. I have written previously about the proper meaning of truth. I have also suggested that we are in danger of falling into what I called a state of “Truth Dysphoria.” Too many people don’t believe there is such a thing as truth. They would have us believe that truth is a personal possession; whatever they think is true is true – for them. Their idea may not be true for you, but it is true for them, or so they think. That attitude strikes a critical blow to the meaning of the word. Britannica says truth is, “the property of sentences, assertions, beliefs, thoughts, or propositions that are said, in ordinary discourse, to agree with the facts or to state what is the case.” In other words, truth is what is, or said another way truth is that which comports with reality.

The reality is that God’s Word is truth. Jesus proclaimed the He was the Truth. These are not arguable assertions; they are true whether anyone believes them or not. Calculate how much better life would be if everyone spoke and lived according to biblical truth. People who are living in an alternate “truth” should find themselves on the wrong side of the law or on a psychiatrist’s couch. That is not true in our society anymore, sadly. When liars get reelected, when abortions are not murder, when men can be women, when truth is anyone’s opinion civil society becomes a sham. How much better living would be in a society where truth was computed correctly.

Second, think on whatever things are honorable (σεμνός). The word Paul used can mean venerable or reverend. The idea is that these things have been tested by time and are respected for their reliability and truthfulness (there’s the truth again.) There seems to be a trend away from things that are venerable (old) and revered (well-respected) in today’s society. I wonder if our penchant for retro-this and retro-that betrays a deep-seated desire for things that are venerable. In a way these modern remakes do honor something from the past, yet they seldom elicit the reverence that Paul was suggesting. Not all old things deserve honor, but a nod toward tradition (venerable things) in some things would make for better living: respecting the place of law and order, upholding the sanctity of life, maintaining traditional family values, defending the principles enshrined in the Constitution. Most important of all is the reverence and application of biblical truth (again) in all of life. That would make for better living; count on it.

Next is whatever things are right. (δίκαιος.) In English, we would naturally think of this as the opposite of wrong, which is not incorrect. However, in the context of the Bible and Paul’s list of things to think on, the better opposite is sin. This Greek word is often translated righteous. Because God is infinitely righteous, His ways are always right. Anything that does not line up with God’s right ways is sin. James says that the path to sinning begins with a thought – a sinful thought. So, thinking of right things instead of sinful things would naturally lead to better living. You reckon?

Paul next calls us to think on things that are pure (ἁγνός.) My first thought was Michael W. Smith’s “Agnus Dei” which has a special place in my heart, but for y’all it means “holy God.” Think of the saying that cleanliness is next to godliness. Some good synonyms are sacred, chaste, and modest. If chaste and modest make you think of sexual purity, you are on the right track since the biblical opposite of purity is often presented as sexual perversion of some kind. Just as believers are to remain chaste and modest in human relationships, as the Bride of Christ we must maintain spiritual purity as well. As I wrote at length in “Women’s Attire,” practicing biblical modesty presents an appearance that promotes order as opposed to one that creates chaos. Monetary gain or social advantage are also subject to discernment as to purity. Avoiding lustful thoughts, whether for love or money, and keeping the mind on that which is pure is calculated to lead to better living in every circumstance.

Paul then suggests believers think on things that are pleasing. Now, there are many things that would please me to think about, but I doubt Paul would approve. Pleasing (προσφιλήςhi) does not mean what you or I think it means. “Lovely or acceptable” are synonyms suggested by the Greek dictionary. I am going to defer to one of my favorite Christian philosophers of the twentieth century, Francis Schaeffer. He tells believers that loveliness or beauty is only found in that which aligns with God’s truth (there’s that concept again.) Real beauty, according to Schaeffer is anything that aligns with the truth of God’s revealed character in His Word. Better living is found in the beauty of God’s Word. There is nothing better.

The next recommended thought is more complex. Paul says to think of things that are commendable (εὔφημος.) Synonyms are conducive to success or favorable. A transliteration of this word is euphemism. A euphemism is a way to make something sound better than it does in the original. We speak of “passing away” instead of “dying.” We have dozens of euphemisms for sexual intercourse that shade the truth of what is actually occurring in a biblical sense. I don’t think Paul meant that we should shade the truth of what we are thinking on. He meant we should think on things that will favor our success.  I reckon that would lead to better living.

When Paul next suggests we think on things that are commendable, he uses a word that can be translated virtuous (ἀρετή.) Virtue is not something we spend much time on these days. Perhaps that is because virtue has become a rare commodity. We have been inundated with the idea that we must accept everyone no matter how flawed they may be. Acceptance and inclusivity are the only “virtues” society admires these days. Pointing out what the Bible calls sin in another person is now called hate speech. A person who demonstrates what the Scripture calls virtue is usually mocked as backward or old fashioned. The traditional virtues of chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility are often met with scorn. Yet if we think on these things and seek out people who embody these virtues, I calculate that our life will be better.

Paul’s final recommendation ties directly into the idea of virtue. Praiseworthy (ἔπαινος) suggests we should think on things to which we would give honor. Who deserves that more than God? If we follow Paul’s advice to the Colossians and “set [our] mind on the things above,” we will have a heavenly perspective on all of life’s issues. I remember being told that if I focus on my problems, they just loom larger; if I focus on God my problems disappear. If I honor God in my thinking, if I make Him my first thought instead of my last hope, I will experience the best living I can ever imagine. That doesn’t mean there will be no rough patches in life; it means that I will sail through the hard times secure in the knowledge that I am always in God’s hands. Through the waters and through the flames He is with me. Compute that: there you will find better living than any alternative I can think of.

Related posts: Where Do You Find Truth; Truth Dysphoria; Debating ‘Christian Cleavage’; Women’s Attire; Think About It