“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.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Pure: free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind; containing nothing that does not properly belong; free from moral fault or guilt; unmixed, unadulterated, undefiled, untarnished, immaculate, unpolluted, uncorrupted.

Purify yourself as He is pure

“And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3 ESV)

By your obedience to the truth

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22 ESV)

Love that issues from a pure heart

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 

Therefore…

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Tim. 2:22 ESV)

“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.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Right: Conforming with or conformable to justice, law, or morality; just; good; proper; upright; righteous. 

Blessed are they

“Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” (Psalm 106:3 ESV)

Walk righteously and speak uprightly

“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; will see a land that stretches afar.” (Isa. 33:15-17 ESV)

“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.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Honorable: in accordance with or characterized by principles of honor; upright; noble, straightforward, ethical, sincere, illustrious, virtuous, honest, trustworthy, respectable, reliable, conscientious, principled, righteous, distinguished, law-abiding, acclaimed, celebrated, chivalrous, dependable, eminent.

Honor the Lord from your wealth 

“Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce.” (Prov. 3:9 ESV)

Worthy is the lamb to receive honor

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." (Rev. 5:11-12 ESV)

“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.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

True: being in accordance with the actual state or conditions; conforming to reality or fact; not false; real; genuine; authentic; accurate; valid; right; the truth. 

The Spirit of truth

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV) 

Jesus is the truth

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV) 

The truth will set you free 

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 ESV)

Worship Him in spirit and truth

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV)

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 ESV)

Speak the truth in love

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Eph. 4:15 ESV)

Walking in truth

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4 ESV)

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Gen.  50:20 NLT).

We can rejoice knowing God will help us when we run into problems 

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Rom. 5:3 NLT)

God causes all things to work out right

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Rom. 8:28 NLT)

Because God is faithful

“God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9 NLT)

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 28:13 ESV)

Everybody stumbles  

“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. (James 3:2 ESV)

Deal with it! Don’t deny or cover it up

When you have made a mistake, you can handle it by denying it and covering it up, or by recognizing it for what it is and taking proper steps to correct the situation as best you can. It may involve the need to repent from sin, make restitution, and seek forgiveness from others you have harmed and from God. There is an example in the Bible of King David who committed adultery and then, to cover it up, had the woman’s husband murdered. In Psalm 51, David prayed, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2 NLT). 

Humble yourself

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)

Therefore

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 28:13 ESV)

“Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:24 ESV)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:20 ESV)

The Grand Canyon

While passing through beautiful Arizona, Susan and I visited the magnificent Grand Canyon. And it was a breathtaking and awe-inspiring site to see! I experienced vertigo as we walked along the steep edges with mind-blowing drop-offs; most trails were without barricades! Later, as we drove away from it, I reflected on the greatness of God, the creator of all things, including the Grand Canyon!

He made all things

“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3 ESV)

All things were created through Him and for Him 

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Col. 1:16 ESV) 

And God preserves all of them

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” (Neh. 9:6 ESV)

Therefore…

“Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (1 Cor. 8:6 ESV)

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev. 4:11 ESV)

“Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” (Jer. 23:29 NASB)

The Word of God is God-breathed

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, 

correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV)

The Word of God is alive, active and sharp 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 NIV)

The Word of God put into practice is wise

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24 NIV) 

The Word of God is a light for your feet

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:109 NIV) 

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 NIV) 

The Word of God is the path to purity

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9 NIV)

The Word of God endures forever

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isa. 40:8 NIV)

“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.” (Psalm 16:1 NIV) 

God’s angels will protect you

“For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.” (Psalm 81:11 NLT)

God is an ever-present help in the time of trouble

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV)

God goes with you, so don’t be afraid

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 NIV)

Weapons formed against you will fail

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,”declares the Lord.” (Isa. 54:17 NIV)

Therefore

“So we say with confidence,  “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Heb. 13:6 NIV)