‘Whatever’ is a term used to dismiss the words, feelings or desires of another person. It’s a sign of apathy. It is also a term of the utmost importance (no matter what). Few words that we know of are pronounced and spelled the same way and yet can mean the total opposite. On one hand, ‘whatever’ can mean, ‘I don’t care’, but on the other hand, ‘whatever’ can mean to take extra special care. So when Paul tells us from Philippians 4:8, using, ‘Whatever is’… he is asking us to take extra special care to listen to his final instruction and to do them, no matter what. Why this is important to Paul is because it matters that…
WE THINK WELL…
”…Whatever is true - think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
The power of our thought life can’t be overemphasized. Everything centers around how we think and what we think about. If we think about things that are true, we will not be bogged down by false narratives which can embarrass us or put us to shame. The word ‘true’ in actuality means what is actual. Thinking on truth is the foundation for all our thoughts. If the foundation of a house (our lives) is faulty, it will fall - if it is solid, it will stand. The only way to think on what is true, is to study what is truth. If we are uncertain of the truth, we will fall for anything. Being certain of what is truth is being certain of who jesus is.
…AND SO LIVE WELL.
”Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Jesus called Satan the father of lies. This is his only real power over humans, whom he enslaves because they are not armed with God’s Word. When we are armed with truth, we see through the categorical lies of the devil, which are: your heavenly Father is no better than your earthly one; no one understands you, therefore you are all alone; you are worthless; and you have no reason to live, so just end it. Believing these lies creates a world of victims (blame God and shame others) who refuse responsibility for sin. The truth is, our Father in heaven is perfect; Jesus ‘gets us’; He will never leave us; and life is not only worth living, but eternity awaits us. I choose to believe the truth.
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