Philippians 4:8 – What Matters

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.

Summary: Paul’s instructions on what to think about reflect his understanding of what led Adam and Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden.   

There is a lot to ponder in this passage, but before we get into the details, it is useful to stand back and admire the whole verse. 

If Paul were painting a picture with these words, he would be using what is called a “broad brush.” With just a few words, he covers virtually everything. 

He is suggesting, as he has been all along, that we have a choice about what we think. Paul knows that what we think about is important. It impacts the choices we make, affecting what we say and do.

When Adam and Eve were first placed in the Garden of Eden, their minds were only focused on the good things Paul is describing. There was no doubt or envy, jealousy, or hate. Everything was good (Genesis 1:31). 

Unfortunately, there was something that was lurking about that wasn’t good. It was the serpent, and he enticed Eve to sin by getting her to think about things that were not good. 

Let’s review what he did. 

The first thing he said to Eve was, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

It’s a simple question. And what does this simple question do? Is it constructive? Is it helpful in any way? 

No, it is not. 

In fact, it is just the opposite. With these few words, the serpent is sowing the seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind. Instead of trusting God’s word and his intent, she now must decide if God’s words are good or not. 

Do you see what he did? The serpent’s evil seed caused Eve to put herself above God. Instead of trusting God, she was deciding whether or not to trust what he said. 

When she answered the serpent, she repeated what Adam had told her. She said, “ …but God did say,… ‘you must not touch it, or you will die.’” She said it, but the damage was already done. Her attention on God had been broken. The focus had shifted to what she thought. 

Then the serpent struck for the kill. 

“‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman.” (Genesis 3:4)

He flat-out contradicted God. He twisted God’s words and meaning and disguised his lie by substituting one kind of death for another. Adam and Eve wouldn’t die physically, but they would spiritually (Luke 15:24). 

Instead of thinking about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, Eve turned her attention to the lie. 

It matters what we think about. 

Application: Listen to Paul!  

Food for Thought: How does what we think about affect how much of God’s peace we have?