Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.What is a filter and what is its purpose? A filter is something that keeps the good and bad separate, the offensive and cherished apart. A filter is put into place to allow the good to flow through while catching invaluable and harmful things. This verse serves as a spiritual filter for any and every area of our life. It works for our thoughts, words, actions, etc...
(Phil. 4:8)
The Apostle Paul, like usual, doesn’t beat around the bush when writing this one. He is making it plain and straightforward for believers to comprehend. Pass all things through this spiritual “filter”.
Oh I know what some will say… “that’s too simple minded.” Is it? Take it at face value and try it! Weigh your thoughts against it. Are the thing you are thinking on true, noble, just, pure, lovely, does it have good report, is there virtue in it, would it be considered praiseworthy by God’s standard? If not, you have caught it in your spiritual filter and it’s time to remove the vile from the precious (Jeremiah 15:19). Take authority over those thoughts and begin to think (meditate) on the things that do pass through the filter.
In my own thought life I have to be careful of the thoughts I think towards myself. The devil is out there and he is constantly roaming around seeking whom he may steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). So when satan tries to feed me a lie about myself the way I check for it’s validity is I pass it through my Philippians 4:8 filter. Is the thing I am thinking about myself true? Is there virtue in it? Is it praiseworthy? Does it match up with the word of God and all it has to say about me? I put it through the filter and the answer, or what passes through, is dictated by the active word of God. If it passes the test I take hold of it and continue to reflect (meditate) on it!
The great thing about this filter is not only is it foolproof since it is the infallible word of God but unlike natural filters that need changing this one withstands the test of time. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and there is no shadow of turning in Him (James 1:17). So we can be confident that His method is not only the best method but it is the only method!
The Challenge:
Write the verse down and keep it before you. When thoughts, words, actions, etc... come against you get the verse before you and begin to filter them with Philippians 4:8 if they pass great! If they don’t, change them!
Say It: Father, I thank You that You made it clear through Your Word how we are to filter our lives. I am going to live my life according to Your Word. I will filter my life through Your Word and through the filter of Philippians 4:8. I thank You for the grace to filter my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Beth and Jeff Jones Ministries
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All rights reserved.
As a young couple, fresh out of Bible School with Two daughters and a third child on the way, Jeff and Beth Jones felt God's call to pioneer Valley Family Church in 1991 with a vision to make an eternal difference in Southwest Michigan. As a husband and wife team, they have always led together as visionary pastors and have shared the pulpit as Bible teachers. They are passionate about building the local church in greater Kalamazoo and the global church around the world. 
