Noble is used in the Bible several times, yet the single reference I remember first is of the Berean Jews.  “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11).  It is a noble and virtuous characteristic to verify whether what is heard is true, by testing it against scripture.  Here for example, is a statement made by a famous person.  Does it stand the test of a noble verification?

“In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I  read through the passage which tells…us how the Lord at last rose in his might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders….As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice.”

Here is another quote from someone famous, how does it stand up?

” I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.  I believe in the example that Jesus set by feeding the hungry and healing the sick and always prioritizing the least of these over the powerful.  I didn’t ‘fall out in church’ as they say, but there was a very strong awakening in me of the importance of these issues in my life.  I didn’t want to walk alone on this journey.  Accepting Jesus Christ in my life has been a powerful guide for my conduct and my values and my ideals. “

“The path I traveled has been shared by millions upon millions of Americans – evangelicals, Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Muslims alike; some since birth, others at a turning point in their lives.  It is not something they set apart from the rest of their beliefs and values.  In fact, it is often what drives them.”

“…but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.  Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.  Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (1 Cor. 1:24-29). This is one of my favorite scriptures because it explains so much about God’s character, the Kingdom, and the World in such clear terms.

Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. (Phil. 4:8).  This is among my favorites because I often need help in the battle arena of my mind and this scripture comprises the best list available.  This scripture is “the Power of Positive Thinking”; it is “Mind over Matter”; and much more.

The dictionary defines “noble” as:

1.  Possessing hereditary rank in a political system or social class derived from a feudalistic stage of a country’s development.  2. Having or showing qualities of high moral character, such as courage, generosity, or honor.

Simple Definition of noble: having, showing, or coming from personal qualities that people admire (such as honesty, generosity, courage, etc.); of, relating to, or belonging to the highest social class; of, relating to, or belonging to the nobility; impressive in size or appearance.

In America our founders and Constitution relieved us of a “Nobility” of birth.  However, it appears that some of our leaders and many of their followers would happily reinstitute it for their kings and queens that are not expected to be honest, or possessing moral character, or being subject to the rule of law as all other citizens.  So, we see there is a great need to understand and be a noble people, who test the veracity of statements by the scriptures; to think on whatever is noble, and rest in God’s Kingdom purpose of choosing the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.

The first quote is from Adolph Hitler.  He said, “I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated.”  This is not in accord with scripture which actually says if someone compels you to go a mile, go with them two, if they take your shirt give them your cloak also. (Matt. 5:39-42).

The next quote is from Barak Obama.  He says ” I believe in the example that Jesus set…there was a strong awakening in me of the importance of these issues in my life.  Accepting Jesus Christ in my life has been a powerful guide for my conduct, my values, and my ideals.”  The scriptures teach that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are cleansed of our sin and inherit eternal life, (Acts 13:39; Rom. 6:22-23). Also, we lose our lives and take up His life, our life is no longer our own. (Matt. 10:39).

Mr. Obama equates his faith path as equivalent to that of Jews and Muslims. The Bible is clear that there is no other name, (Jesus) whereby men may be saved. (Acts 12:4).  This is not a judgment of anyone’s faith or heart, judgment is retained by God, but rather of their words and statements as tested against scripture, and it tells us that we will know them by their fruit. (Matt. 7:20).  Moreover, these are just a few quotes, there are numerous others and many people have analysed them in great detail.  Let’s nobly hold fast to the truth of scripture.