September 18, 2013
Philippians 4:8
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
If there is one verse of scripture that would change a lot of ways of how we live, it would be Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
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 anything praiseworthy, meditate [or think] on these things.
Now analyze for a moment in your mind the everyday things you allow entrance into your life:
• What do you watch on Television?
• What do you see in the movies you choose to view?
• What do you read?
• What music do you listen to?
• What is the general tone of the conversations you participate in?
• What do you view on the computer?
• What electronic games do you play?
How would any of these things change if you only allowed to enter your mind what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy?
When I was youth leader at a Methodist camp meeting several years ago, we studied this issue one summer. For one activity, I had the teens bring in CD’s or tapes – I told you it was several years ago! – of their favorite music. Matt brought in a CD called – The Marshall Mathers LP – of Eminem’s hits. Eminem – whose given name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III – is a rapper whose songs often include violence and profanity. This is the description of the song from Wikipedia. The actual lyrics are too long to reproduce here – and too profanely graphic!
The song begins with Eminem in Kim’s home (after murdering her husband
and her stepson). Eminem is talking calmly to their daughter, who is sleeping.
Eminem then starts to shout verbal abuse at Kim, which remains a common
element throughout the entire song. In the second verse, the setting changes to
Eminem and Kim in a car, while in the third, they are in the woods. The song
continues with Eminem slitting Kim’s throat, while screaming “Bleed, bitch!
Bleed!”.
I was shaken to realize that this kind of trash is what Matt – and a lot of other young people – are listening to. I turned to Matt after I heard the song and said, “Matt, when you go off the deep end, don’t hurt me and my family!
It was reported on August 26 by msnbc that an eight-year-old boy shot his 87-year-old caregiver in the back of the head while she was watching Television. According to the sheriff’s report,
Investigators have learned that the juvenile suspect was playing a video game,
‘Grand Theft Auto IV,’ a realistic game that has been associated with encourag-
ing violence and awards points to players for killing people….
True, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy – do Eminem’s songs and Grand Theft Auto fall into the category of what reflects these eight qualities from Philippians 4:8?
There is an old saying: “Garbage in, garbage out!” What St. Paul is saying in this scripture is if these qualities are in something, then allow it into your life! If not, don’t let it in!!!
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
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 anything praiseworthy, meditate [or think] on these things.
It will change your life!
More on this theme in the next blog.