Think on Things that are of Good Report

1. Read: Philippians 4:8

2. About the Text:

1) The Bible says that we can control our thoughts (Proverbs 4:23).

2) We must make an effort to do this.

3) We have this list of things to think on.

4) There is no shortage of good things!

5) Why do we not think on good things more?

3. We must think on things that are of good report.

1) In English, a “good report” is an account of something good that is happening, a good story.

2) This isn’t really what the Greek word means.

3) The word for “good report” in Greek is εὔφημος (eúphēmos).

4) It may be translated in many ways: things spoken in kindly spirit, in goodwill, gracious, engendering friendship and even pious and holy.

5) So there are many different areas of thought here.

6) Let’s consider a few.

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. What does it mean to be a friend?

2. Friends show kindness – “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14).

3. Friends don’t talk bad about one another – “He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend” (Psalm 15:3).

4. Friends are faithful to one another – “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).

5. Friends tell each other the truth – “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).

6. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

7. These are attitudes to think about when we think about things of good report.

1. What does it mean to be gracious?

2. Gracious people give – “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” (Acts 20:35).

3. Gracious people speak graciously – “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).

4. Gracious people overcome evil with good – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

5. Gracious people are a blessing – “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).

1. What does it mean to be well intentioned?

2. Well intentioned people assume the best – “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

3. Well intentioned people begin with trust – “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7).

4. Well intentioned people don’t support wickedness – “For He who would love life ??And see good days, ??Let him refrain his tongue from evil, ??And his lips from speaking deceit. ??Let him turn away from evil and do good; ??Let him seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:10-11).

5. Well intentioned people want good for others – “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil” (Luke 6:35).

1. What does it mean to be holy?

2. Holy people want to worship God – “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

3. Holy people keep their lives pure – “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

4. Holy people want to see the Lord – “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

5. Holy people want to be like God “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy'” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

1. Thinking about things that are of good report is thinking about things that are:

1) Friendly

2) Gracious

3) Well-Intentioned

4) Holy

2. Invitation