ATTITUDE

Does God care about my attitude as long as I still do what he asks?

Scripture To Consider:

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:1-5

Big T's Thought To Ponder:

According to the Webster, the word "attitude" means "an internal position or feeling with regard to something else." Other descriptors: "disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective, frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale."

As a former Jet Mechanic, I know that airplane pilots often use "attitude" to describe their horizontal relationship with the runway then they land. If their attitude is not aligned properly, the plane will make contact with the ground at the wrong angle and it will cause them to crash.

So it is safe to say that our attitude is our inward disposition toward other things outside of self, such as a person or a circumstances. Just like an airplane, attitude hits the radar whenever you must deal with something other than yourself.

God’s word tells us that when we come to know and trust Jesus Christ, we become a new creation and a part of the new you is the development of a new attitude... our attitude is to become Christ like. Scripture tells us above, that our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24

Bad Attitude:

It's impossible not to see a bad attitude because it is typically on display for all to see in out outwardly demeanor. This can be in our words or actions, such a negativeness, criticalness, rebellion, defiance, impatience, uncooperative, discouragement, independence, arrogance, self-centeredness, rudeness...

As Christians we are instructed to lose these examples of bad attitudes. However, keep in mind, attitudes are inner dispositions of the heart and mind — they are the hidden intentions which will eventually serve as the basis for our actions. In reality, no one else really knows the thoughts of your heart, except you and God! Attitude is something that only you and God can work out — a change which must take place inwardly.

Good Attitude:

My Aunt Lela used to say "your attitude determines your altitude" and she was so right! According to scripture, our attitude toward life, our circumstances and especially toward other people should always be through the lens of Christ Jesus and in alignment with the Word of God.

It's impossible not to see a good attitude because it generally wreaks of positivity, encouragement, love, humility, teachable, cooperative, considerate, selfless, loyal, persevering and so on. Sound like anyone you know?

In the book of Galatians we find the instruction of our Almighty Savior for what a good attitude looks like: "

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

God's Truth - Promises - Challenges:

To God — Our attitude should be reverence, submission, love, trust, humbleness, obedience, worshipful, and prayerful.

(Psa. 111:10, Mark 12:30, John 14:15, Jas. 4:7, 1 Sam. 15:23)

To Our Brother and Sisters — Our attitude should be love, forgiveness, consideration, caring, encouragement, kindness, humility, unselfishness, respectful, and impartial.

(John 13:34-35, 15:12, Rom. 12:10, 13:10, 15:7, Jas. 2:9, Eph. 4:2, 4:32, Col. 3:16, 1 Thes. 5:11, Heb. 3:13, 1 Cor. 13:4-8).

To Our Trials — Our attitude should be patience, thankfulness, persevering, believing.

(Rom. 8:28, Gal. 1:9)

To Our Church — Our attitude should be generous, authentic, respectful, faithful, cooperative, helpful, willingness, dependable, participating, encouraging.

(1 Cor. 10:32, 1 Cor. 14:12, Heb. 2:12)

To Service— Our attitude should be faithfulness, responsibleness, obedience, cooperation, endurance. (Luke 16:10, 1 Cor. 4:2)

To Unfairness — Our attitude should be patience, humility, confident in God’s justice. (Rom. 12:19, Luke 18:7)

To Disappointment or Tragedy — Our attitude should be humility, submission to God, prayerful, confidence in God’s fairness. (Psa. 62:5, Jer. 17:5, Deut. 32:4, Job 13:15, Rom. 8:28)

To the Lost — Our attitude should be compassionate, forgiving, encouraging, helpful, reconciling them to God. (2 Cor. 5:18, 2 Pet. 3:9, Matt. 18:11-14)

To Sin — Our attitude should be uncompromising, unaccepting, intolerant, unsympathetic, yet compassionate and reconciliatory for the repentant. (Matt. 18:8-9, Gal. 6:1)

To Success — Our attitude should be humble, grateful, God-glorifying, not self-exalting or forgetful to God. (Jas. 4:6, 10, Prov. 16:18)

To Misunderstanding — Our attitude should be peacemaking, reconciliatory, patient, forgiving. (Col. 3:13, Matt. 5:9, Phil. 2:14)

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude - Soar High Today For Jesus!