Fix Your Mind – Whatever is of Good Report (Part 6)
November 28, 2023
Have you ever heard someone start a conversation with “Hey! What’s the good word?” The speaker is steering the conversation toward something positive. It sets the tone and signals to the one being greeted that the speaker is hoping for or expecting good news. In Philippians 4:8, the instruction is for us to think on whatsoever things are of good report.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
If you consult the Thayer’s or Strong’s Concordance, the descriptors used for good report include well-spoken of, reputable, sounding well, or things spoken in a kindly manner with good will toward others. So, a good report is reputable good news shared with a good intent.
Did I get any good news today? That is what I should think about the rest of the day, or week, or month. My family recently got a good report that my nephew’s kidney transplant was successful. We have been feasting on that good report for weeks already. Sometimes, I have to deliberately seek out a good report. As a boss, I have asked open-ended questions trying to find the good news. The question might be: Which accomplishment this year are you most proud of? What was one thing you saw an employee do that most impressed you? What is one thing we are doing right as a team?
The Bible is full of good news. There are four gospels. In the Greek language, the word gospel means ‘good news.’ I find the truest example of reputable good news shared with a good intent in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (KJV)
There is no greater good news than the story of our redemption through Jesus Christ. I am creating a new habit this Christmas season. Every crèche I walk or drive by I will deliberately think on that good news and join the heavenly host praising God saying:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!