Php. 4:8 ... "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 anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."
In this statement eight essential attributes of good character, or more expressly, Christian character, are presented to us. Although the word "character" is not mentioned in context, we are urged to "let your mind dwell on these things." What resides in a person's mind within determines the nature of his external life in mood, speech, conduct, and response to the fluctuations of daily experience. This is what we are told in Pro. 23:7, "As [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he." In the last article (Character 15) the first thing in this verse, truth, was featured and commended. In the present essay, the second thing, honorable, will be discussed and also commended to the reader.
The word in the original
so translated is semnos, which may also be translated
"dignified" or "serious." In the King James Version, it is
rendered as "honest/" Although honesty is very much involved in the
idea expressed, it is not the fundamental meaning. When the New Testament
writers wished to deal with honesty, they used other words or phrases, such as
"being truthful, speaking the truth, being sincere, and being just."
The New American Standard and the Revised Standard translate the term as
"honorable"; the NEB uses "worthy," and the translations of
Goodspeed and Moffatt choose "noble." Basically, Php, 4:8 teaches us
that, to set our minds upon whatever is dignified, has real merit, and is
serious, in con-trast to what is silly or frivolous. What we are being told
here is to lift our mind above the level of most people about us and elevate it
to the plane of what is noble, worthy, and dignified.
Previously discussed has been the subject of "character flaws." These appear in situations where someone lacks a component of good character. Being dishonorable is such a character flaw. Not only is it prevalent, but it is actually capitalized upon in society. There are so many people who seem to be serious about nothing and let their minds run free toward anything that is trivial, meaningless, useless and inappropriate. Led by such people as the TV variety show hosts, they spin raw humor out of everything, trash public figures, and laugh at tragedy. They are not fit to listen to, and Christians ought to avoid them.
The Bible often forbids this kind of dishonorable, undignified practice. In essence, it warns us about a character flaw and thus clears the way to plant a real trait of good character within us. We are instructed in Eph. 5:4 that "there must be no filthiness, silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting; but rather, [the] giving of thanks." Paul ordered Titus in his ministry in Crete to "urge the young men to be sen-sible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us," (Tit. 2:6-8). He was told to teach "women likewise [to] be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things." This character component of being honorable essentially means to say nothing that embarrasses others, disgraces yourself, or casts reproach upon your Lord.
This does not mean we
should be like the Puritans in early Colonial America who lived in fear that
"someone, somewhere was actually having a good time." Eccl. 3:4 says
that there is "a time to laugh." In fact, there are instances of
humor to be found in the Bible. Being honorable allows occasional humor, but it
excludes trivializing what is serious. Eccl. 3:4 also says there is "a
time to weep." And Rom. 12:15 points out one of those times: "Weep
with those who weep."
