May 1, 2004

Fully-Integrate Life:
“… loving what is good…”  (Titus 1:8)

As we seek to have positive influence on others, we want to be known as people who “love what is good.”

This phrase translates a single Greek word: "philagathos." This compound word comes from two words: 
• “Phileo”     strong affection
• “agathos”   good; intrinsically good

The idea is that a Christian leader is to be one that delights in what is good and not evil.  We should like good people, good music, good causes and many other good things.  We want to surround ourselves with good things.  A Christian leader does not want to deliberately associate with things that are bad for him or for those who follow him.

The flesh has an insatiable desire to feed on gossip and lies.  Sin makes us compare ourselves to others and somehow we can minimize our own sin if we focus on the disgusting actions of others. 

But, the Spirit-filled leader does not live after the flesh.  Instead of seeking gossip and evil reports, the leader wants to encourage people toward good things and delights in hearing good reports.

Everywhere we turn people are delighting in evil.  Think about it:  the news, the sitcom, the movie, etc.  Instead of making these things the consuming focus of your life, consider what Paul said to the Philippian church:

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

Father,
I want to focus on You, Your will, Your Word, Your working in the world.  Change my delight as I worship You.  Change my heart, O God.  Make it ever true.  Change my heart, O God…help me to delight in what is good!   In Jesus Name, Amen