Philippians 4:8 Meaning – What It Teaches Us
Last Updated: 05 March 2021
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, 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 any praise, think about these things.
Facts and Stats
Author
Apostle Paul
Writing Location
In Prison at Rome
Date
AD 62 (Source)
Recipients
Christian Community at Philippi (modern Fílippoi, hill town in the nomós of Kavála, Greece) (Source)
Popularity (Source)
- This verse is becoming year after year more popular among Christians;
- More popular in South Africa, Philippines, USA, Canada and United Kingdom. US States in which the verse is more popular are Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Indiana and Ohio;
- This verse is cited more than 1 million times on the internet.
Topical Usage
Bible Verses for Depression
Encouraging Bible Verses
Bible Verses about Worrying and Anxiety
Bible Verses About Being Happy And Enjoying Life
Meaning and Life Application
The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christian community he established in Macedonia to exhort them to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel and to imitate the humility of Jesus in everything they do. One could consider Philippians 4:8 a short summary of how to think and ultimately live according to God’s Word.
It all starts with our thinking. Our thoughts become our habits. Our habits become our reality and way of life. We cannot walk around thinking all kinds of malice or allow negative things corrupt our minds, and expect to live as blameless children of God without fault.
Here are some examples of how we could apply Philippians 4:8 in our lives:
- The next time we see someone doing something that’s wrong in God’s eye, instead of judging, think about how to reach out to them with the Gospel.
- When we look ourselves in the mirror, are our thoughts kind? Do we look back at ourselves with love and grace? Do we think we are fearfully and wonderfully made?
- An important event is coming up. It could be a school exam, a work presentation or a business meeting. Instead of allowing fear and anxiety to creep into our thoughts, we could pray and worship God in our head.
Pray Philippians 4:8
Prayer 1
Heavenly Father, I thank you profoundly for your Word that tells me in Philippians 4:8 to center my mind on the Gospel of Jesus and whatever is positive. I ask you to renew my thoughts and turn them into the direction you want them to be. Help me put aside pervert thoughts, falsehoods, prejudices, fears, worries, and embrace your holiness and your truth. Help me think and eventually live in accordance to your Word. Amen.
Prayer 2
Holy Father, in accordance to Philippians 4:8, I ask you to fill my mind and my heart with your truth, not deception; noble things, not dishonor; things that are right, not falsehood; pureness, not impurity; the lovely, not the ugly; the admirable, not displeasing things; what is excellent; not what’s mediocre; whatever is praiseworthy, and not unworthy. Amen.
Affirmation
If you find yourself continually thinking about how ugly or unworthy of love you are, you need to refocus your thoughts. One way to do that is to use the power of words. Tell yourself every day, how ugly you are, and that’s the way you’ll always see yourself. But, when you express love and praise towards yourself, you start thinking differently and you will become much more confident. Here’s an affirmation poem you could use:
I am beautiful from the inside and the outside
I am beautiful in body, mind and spirit
I am kind and loving
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I am blessed and favored
I am a child of God
I carry positive thoughts about myself
I am grateful for who I am
I love myself, my body and my life
