Sitting in Manure Really Stinks

I’ve been trying to figure out what “speaking the truth” mean in situations that seem wrong, ungodly, and complicated. Because, what if our “truth” isn’t the reality of the situation? What if our “truth” is quite wrong and backwards?

How do we know when to “speak truth?” How do we process emotions and feelings while seeking truth and honoring God at the same time.

I think, when we’re able to live out Philippians 4:8,we're able to process things a bit differently.

So, I’ve been thinking about Philippians 4:8 the last few weeks. I’ve needed to keep it on the forefront of my brain, especially this past week. I failed miserably, wasting time thinking about the opposite of what God calls me to be, do, and focus on.

Here’s the verse:

Philippians 4:8-

“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.”

Here’s the same verse from The Message version:

“I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”

This verse is a great filter for how to live out what we do with our time, energy, emotions, passion, and purpose.

Perhaps you’re like me and can tend to focus on things that are false, unfair, wrong. We can get caught up in the ugliness of life, in the stupidity of people living in the flesh rather than in the faith. I can spend sacred time cursing things that I think are unjust and false and a sickly and sad amount of time praying for the situation or people. Isn’t it easier to think about the negative, the frustrations, the fears, and the ugliness? Sometimes we’re stuck right in the middle of a big pile of manure and we can’t see the beautiful pasture and open space that surrounds us.

How do we put into practice the things God calls us to keep on our minds? How do we meditate on these things so we’re able to speak truth in God’s name?

When we want to think or talk about things/people that are ungodly or unjust, we must pray for God to reveal Himself to us and them. It’s not wrong to process and talk through a situation, it’s wrong to meditate and sit in the manure for too long. I do think God calls us to speak truth against things that are wrong, unjust, unfair, things that are ugly and sinful but to do it in a way that honors Him.

It doesn’t do any good to stay there in the stink and muck of manure. The longer we sit there, the more people we pull into our pile. It stinks up the whole place. Phil.4:8 give us perspective. It gets us up and out of the manure..and uh, smelling better.

Clearly Philippians 4:8 was written for me. And perhaps for you too.

Let us go into a new week thinking of things that are right, noble, beautiful, praiseworthy, and excellent. May we speak truth in how we live out these things.