“… whatever things are true…”
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” If the Christian is to control the thought life, he must place God’s thought structure into his mind. Paul lists nine areas around which the Christian should focus his thinking. Euodia and Syntyche thoughts shred each other with hatred and bitterness. They held those thoughts so long that resentment became a part of their thinking. Resentment became an attitude.
The way to counter negative attitudes is with positive biblical attitudes. Their focus was not God centered. Paul is asking them to refocus their thoughts to the way God thinks. The first area of restructuring their thought life is the category of that which is “true.”
“whatever things are true”
This is not simply something that is true as over against that which is fictitious or false. “True” here is truth in the widest sense, true in the sense of valid, reliable or honest. It includes motives and conduct. “True” involves anything that is reliable or consistent with God’s character.God wants us to think about his Word so that we can change our lives. The more we apply God’s truth to our experience the more we grow. It allows to think about life from God’s viewpoint.
When a thought comes into our minds we should subject it to the test of whether it is true. Is it worthy of consideration? Does it ring true? Do the things to which we give attention ring true to God’s Word or do they twist God’s view of things?
If Syntyche allows her thought life to focus on misrepresenting Euodia, the chasm will widen between them. Honesty is the first step to true healing. If Euodia develops the sense that Syntyche is fair with her, there is greater likelihood of her giving ear to what Syntyche is saying. Confidence in the other person’s sense of fairness is a sound platform for building a good relationship. If trust does not exist between them, the breach will continue to widen. If Euodia exaggerates Syntyche’s every flaw or short-coming, Syntyche will distance herself further from Euodia.
Principle:
Truth is a building block of a good relationship. Truth builds trust between people.
Application:
Are you fair in the way you deal with people in your life? Instead of honestly facing what they may say to you, do you justify your position at all costs? Do you manipulate the truth to make yourself look better? Are you secure enough to face your flaws? Are you truthful with yourself? Have you rationalized your position so much that those close to you no longer attempt to deal with the issue any more?
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