noble

And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Ruth 3:11

Every person is known for something. Famous people are often known by what they can do or what they had done. Singers are known for their voice and songs, actors for their movies, sportsmen for their championships or wins. Others are known for their extreme wealth or discoveries in the science or medical fields.

While these things may be good, they are all surface and temporary and do not reveal who the person really is.

Boaz told Ruth that in his town all the people knew her as a woman of noble character and so he was willing to do what she asked of him.

Even though many people are known for doing some amazing things, very few are known for their character as being noble. It is common for famous people to do great things but have very poor character. They are then known for getting drunk, doing drugs, getting into fights, abusiveness, foul language and much more, despite all their famous abilities.

Although believers should be known for a noble character, many have the same character as those in the world. Lying, cheating, stealing, abusiveness, drunkenness, greediness and more are known characteristics of many in the church, and often without regret or sorrow.

Believers are to be set apart as different. Their character should shine before their world as one of noble character, that of God. As Jesus, the believer should live his life above reproach and of a different character than the world.

People should know the believer as one of noble character that can be trusted to do what is right no matter how difficult it is.

Regardless of where you live, there are people who live around you who are watching you, know you and make judgements on your character. Some of these people will see you in the best of your times and in the worst of your times.

How you act and react to situations will show your true character, whether noble or corrupt. Everything that you say or do should reflect God’s Holy Spirit in your life. A noble character should be the description of your life.

How would people around you, both known and unknown, close or distant, describe your character?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be known for a Godly and noble character; that all of your words and actions will reflect God’s character; and that God will give you strength to always do what is right.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Every person on this earth think about many different things. Everything that they watch or listen to is something that they think about.

Most people do not care very much about what they allow to be put into their minds to think about. Many of the things they watch or listen to is done just for entertainment and see just that way.

As Paul finishes this letter to the Philippians, he tell them to think about certain things. They are to only think about things that are: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.

The world has many things that it wants every person to think about. Their movies and music will promote every type of sinful activity possible with no shame. Thinking about any type of sinful activity is a leading to death, not life as the world would have one believe.

Anyone who does not agree with the world’s way of thinking, is looked down with hate or shame. In fact, in many places, including America, there are rules in place that if one speaks against many thoughts or activities, he is listed as a hater and a criminal and can be fined or put in jail.

Many believers, have caved into the world’s ways of thinking. They claim it is good to watch movies promoting sin in order to understand how the real world is.

The true believer will live differently than the world. He will be in the world, but not of the world. His thoughts and actions will be from above, led by God, not self or this world. He will only think about things that will honor God and pray about things that do not honor God.

Take a moment to think about what you like to think about. What is it that you enjoy watching or listening to?

As you examine what you watch and listen to, determine if those things honor or dishonor God. Do these things bring you closer to God or further from God?

Be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you are thinking about. Meditate upon the things of God, not the sinful things of this world.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will think on things that honor God; that you will allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts; that you will fill your mind with God’s word; and that you will live for God and not for self or this world.