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Excellent Praise

In the Word

…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 4:8b).

Of the Word

We’re not the first generation of Christians to condemn popular culture. Christians in first-century Rome lived in a culture of drunken revelries in honor of the Emperor and the gods. Exhibitions of torture and gruesome executions were carried out for the amusement of the crowds. Collusion and conspiracies were common among the powerful. Conspicuous consumption of material goods among the wealthy was the standard. Those who abstained from these activities came under suspicion. A satirist of the day referred to Christians as river sewage and another observer dismissed Christianity as “a novel and baneful superstition.”

As Christians, we’re called to select for our meditation, conversation, entertainment, and example those things worthy of our attention. Like Christians down through the ages, we’re mocked by comedians and snubbed by pundits because popular culture resists our challenge. Our separation from popular culture disputes its value and our dissenting voice names its failings.

The Holy Spirit provides us with the backbone we need to stand for and choose all things excellent and praiseworthy in whatever culture we find ourselves. Praise Him today by thinking about those things. 

Walking with my Lord

Lord, in thought and word and deed, may I find everything I need
In all things excellent and good.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 16/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Historical background on ancient Rome from New Testament History by F. F. Bruce (Doubleday, 1969) pages 393-401.

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