The next word found in Philippians 4:8 is right. yesterday I was blocked and could not think of how to write this today. We all have our scales of justice. Each knows in his heart this is fair or conversely, this is not. Think how you look at the news today. What are your filters? What is right in your eyes?
Let me define this word first.
δίκαιος díkaios, dik’-ah-yos; from G1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively):—just, meet, right(-eous).
Strongs
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NASB1995
God asks us to dwell on what is right, innocent, holy, just. Yet, here’s what the Psalmist knows for sure.
“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.”
Psalms 139:1-5 NASB1995
God knows my thoughts. He knows what we dwell upon. He knows our hearts. Let’s just be honest, we don’t dwell easily on what is right. Oh, we think we know what is right, but has this been lined up against the words of God? Those verses proclaim what Adam and Eve knew right away after eating the fruit. God knows it all. His question, where are you? Is unneeded. he knows.
Teach my heart today, Lord. I want my pillars of justice to be rooted in the very words of Jesus. May my thoughts dwell on what is right. May i check my thoughts against what I know to be true of your word.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 NASB1995
Amen.
Leave A Reply