Make this your habit for excellent results! 

For I want you to understand what really matters – Phil 1:10a

 We live amidst a myriad of competing ideas. There is a supermarket of ideas out there, and we are spoiled with a wide range of options. Do you find it easy to make choices?

 Your choices show who you are! How you live, what you do for leisure, and how you think about life show who you are.

 Choice reflects character

 The challenge for us is to find the good, the true, and the beautiful. Unfortunately, the ‘devious,” “deceitful,” and “despicable” often come disguised as the real, excellent, and delightful, and we fall for them. So, we miss the good, true, and beautiful right in front of us.

 Your choices show who you are! How you live, what you do for leisure, and how you think about life show who you are.

It is expected of believers to consistently approve the good by pointing out what is more valuable and/or beneficial.

 The Real – Excellent and the Delightful as a choice

 Paul hopes that the Christians at Philippi will choose the real, excellent, and delightful when they have a choice.

Dokimázō (translated as “approve”) refers to putting something to the test to see if it is good. Interestingly, Dokimazo is more about showing what is good than bad.

Diaphérō (translated as excellent) refers to “distinguishing what differs.” It gives you a sense of how different things are worth compared to each other.

It is expected of believers to consistently affirm the good by pointing out what is more valuable and/or beneficial.

How do you make decisions in your daily life that best represent who you are?

 The Real, Excellent and delightful as a habit.

How do you make decisions in your daily life that best represent who you are? Paul prayerfully outlines three growth areas for believers: love, knowledge, and discernment.

Paul thinks that such a focus on growth can help believers approve of things that are excellent (and real and delightful as well).

 How can the three focus areas help you make everyday choices? First, a “Jesus-like” love ( agape) community defines our identity (who we are) and belongingness (to whom we belong).

It would be best to choose the real, excellent, and delightful. It’s best when you make it a habit.

Additionally, “personal” spiritual knowledge shapes our values (what really is important). Thirdly, the exercise of discernment provides a framework for moral and ethical behaviour ( how far can we go?).

 The more you grow in “Jesus-like” Love – experiential knowledge – and discernment, the more you choose the real – excellent and the delightful. 

Your choices reflect the character of the fellowship you belong to. It would be best to choose the real, excellent, and delightful and more importantly, make it a habit.

Ready to experience your Aha Moment?


1.	How does your spirituality affect the attitudes you choose? 
2.	You are what you watch. Does your screen time reflect what you say you believe in? Do you engage in entertainment that is good, true, and beautiful? 
3.	How can you better engage love for each other, personal knowledge, and discernment in your lifestyle choices? 

Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash