Buddhist philosophy teaches that there is a noble path to follow with eight ingredients: Right view, Intention, speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, and Concentration. However, Prophet Isaiah writes: “But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.” (Isaiah 32:8) The Bible teaches not just attempting, trying, striving to do noble things as philosophers and psychologists suggest, but being noble, at the core: character, mindset, words, deeds, attitude, relationships…etc.
Renewed mind: Paul teaches that the whole being (body, soul, and spirit) should be consecrated, renewed, and restored by the Lord. First, the bodies should be offered as a living sacrifice; second, the mind should be renewed by the truth of the Scripture, and third, human free will should be surrendered to discern and do God’s will, plan, and purpose. (Romans 12:1-2) Such a person will not follow the trends, traditions, and worldview of the unchristian world, but be the salt and light of the world.
Meditating mind: A Blessed person meditates on the Word of the Lord Day and night. (Psalm 1:1-3) It is not about emptying the mind or silencing the thoughts, but actively engaging the Scripture, by memorizing, thinking, pondering, and applying as precepts of life.
Transformed mind: The people who came to listen to Paul in Berea were noble. How did they become noble? Author Luke writes that they: First, they eagerly received the Word as it is an important, life-transforming Word of God; Second, engaged with scripture every day; Third, they examined the scripture, comparing it with what Paul was preaching, in fact, evaluating Paul if he was giving the right teaching.
Eight aspects of thinking: Those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ as saviour and Lord, and become His children, are noble. Their thoughts are within the eight parameters Paul lists. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Am I a noble being in Christ? Does my life reflect that?