PHILIPPIANS 4:8

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Have you ever heard the term “laundry list”? According to the Meriam-Webster dictionary, this term used to actually refer to a list of items taken to the laundry. I have filled those lists out before when I was traveling overseas. In the hotels there would be a form to complete, listing all your shirts, pants, socks, etc. that you wanted laundered. Now that term usually just means a long list of things.

Take for instance, Paul has listed a “laundry list” of things that we should think about. Take a look at that list. Those are thought worthy items, aren’t they? True, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy! The actual Greek word for “think about” is logizomai which, according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is “Middle voice from logos to take an inventory, i.e. Estimate (literally or figuratively) — conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).” I love that – to take an inventory.

APPLICATION

Before I ask you what you are taking into inventory, let’s look at what the Lord does not. In Romans 4:8, the same word is used by Paul as he quotes Psalm 32:2. “‘BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.’” The Lord does not keep a laundry list of our sins. Boy, aren’t you glad? I sure am. He would need a long, long scroll to record all of mine. Once we are washed by the blood of the Lamb, all those sins are covered. There is no more guilt. The list is shredded, burned and disappears. Hallelujah!

Now, back to your good laundry list. MacLaren calls these things listed by Paul “that company of fair guests that you may welcome into the hospitalities of your heart and mind.” Unfortunately, the world doesn’t offer too much of these. In fact, the world offers just the opposite – false, dishonorable, wrong, impure, ugly, detestable, poor quality, shameful things. We cannot depend on the world to direct our thoughts and hearts.

The only place you are going to find the things that are described by Paul is in His Word. Only God’s Word will keep my minds and hearts directed in the right way. Only God’s Word will keep you true and pure and honorable. Stop relying on your own intellect or wisdom. Let the Word show you the right laundry list for your soul.

O Lord, I don’t want to be hanging out the wrong laundry list today. Give me these things for my soul.