If There Be Any Virtue

I’ve noticed a pattern in the list of things we are to think about in Phil. 4:8. Our thought life and our lived life are to match. To be true, think true. To be honest, think honest, to be just, think just, and so on. Today, we are looking at “if there be any virtue… think on these things.”

Virtue is moral goodness and purity. We are to think on these things so that they are then reflected in our lives. Because, as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Prov. 23:7) In particular, a woman who shows virtue is attractive.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. (Prov. 12:4)

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (Prov. 31:10)

Maybe the counseling we give and receive on the importance of being a virtuous woman falls short. Most of what I’ve heard about the virtuous woman has everything to do with what she does and says with no mention of what she thinks.

So let’s examine that. The verse above… A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband. I want to be that. The best way I’ve been taught is to just hold my tongue. At least that way, I’ll appear virtuous. After all, a woman who speaks all her mind is clearly not virtuous. The virtuous woman openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Prov. 31:26)

But what if we back up a minute and focus on the thoughts that our friends and family don’t hear. What kind of a gulf is between our thoughts and our lives and words? If I think venomous thoughts, then my challenge is to make sure they don’t escape out of my mouth. Rather than work on self-control in that area, wouldn’t it be far better to work on the offending thoughts behind them so that they aren’t even there in the first place?

The way to do that is to internalize Phil. 4:8 and capture each thought that doesn’t measure up and toss it aside. Actually, that’s why Phil. 4:8 is my verse for 2016. I would absolutely love it if those thoughts became second nature to me. It would be life altering.

A good companion verse to Phil. 4:8 is Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)

Of course, to make it easier, we want to be careful what we allow in our eye and ear gates. We’ll be less likely to think trashy thoughts if we aren’t looking at and listening to trashy things.

It’s really not rocket science. If you have kids, you’re probably very concerned about what they watch and listen to, because you don’t want to see negativity reflected in their lives. Same with God. Let’s be responsible with our thinkers.

Jody