“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable…think about these things.”

Philippians 4:8

Dishonorable Projection

A hypocrite calls out an imposter, a liar believes nothing is true,

A fool thinks everyone is stupid, the jaded think nothing is new.

The shamed are filled with sneering contempt, the bullied will batter the weak.

The unfaithful will see only traitors, the proud will resist all critique.

We hate in others what we fear we’ve become, and we deface the beauty we lack.

But by honoring what is honorable in the eyes of God, we receive our honor back.

Honor Roll

The loving will see a rare diamond, where others see only the dirt,

The forgiven will be merciful in return, the tender will notice our hurt.

The wise will be also be humble, the humble will seek out the wise.

The grateful will know they’ve earned nothing, the transparent will confess their disguise.

The meek will arise with courage and strength, the truthful will set us free.

The peacemaker will mend our divided land, the pure hearted will teach us to see.

One addendum, if I may, for I’ve seen this to be true:

Those who really know Jesus will look just like Him, but seldom believe that they do.

Honorable Mentions

Hebrew wisdom reminds us, “Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.” Proverbs 14:31.

The Greek philosopher Diogenes (d. 323 B.C.) answered the question, ‘How shall I defend myself against my enemy?’ in this way: “By proving yourself good and honorable.”

The Apostle Peter wrote to beleaguered Christians, “Live honorably among the unbelievers. Today, they defame you, as if you were doing evil. But in the day when God visits to judge they will glorify him, because they have observed your honorable deeds.” 1 Peter 2:12

 Amen. Let it be so.