Text reading:
Romans 12:2
Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God---what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. (GNB)
Phil 2:5
Have the same attitude among yourselves that was also in Christ Jesus: (ISV)
The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had (GNB)
Ephesians 4:22 NIV
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds.
What is attitude?
Attitude can be defined as:
What drives our lives
A mental position with regard to state or fact
Other synonyms:
Mood, disposition, opinion, sentiments, perspective, frame of mind, outlook etc
For those us who have had an opportunity to fly, or better still sit with the pilot, one notices among the many instruments, a spirit level kind of meter which shows the planes level in relation to the ground. This is called attitude. If the attitude is not properly aligned, the plane will make contact with the ground at the wrong angle and it will cause a crash.
As with the plane, attitude in our day to day lives determines how we “land” on issues and how we deal with something, other than self.
Examples of Bad Attitude.
Most of us identify bad attitude when displayed outwardly in our words or actions like negativeness, criticism, independence, apathy, discouragement, arrogance, self-centeredness, rudeness etc.
However, keep in mind that attitudes are inner disposition of the heart and thought. They are hidden intentions which will eventually serve as the basis of our actions.
Proverbs 23:7: for as the thoughts of his heart are, so is he
In reality, no one knows the thoughts of your heart except you and God. Consequently, attitude is something that only God can work out – a change which must take place inwardly.
A story is told of a man. He went to church cheerfully as long as his business continued to prosper — as long as everything went well for him. He sang joyfully in the choir, he rarely missed a service. But when hard times set in, he began to drop away. He became resentful toward God, even critical of other Christians.
The same can be said of Cain, that when God did not accept his sacrifice, he became angry and his face became sad. This led him to kill his brother and consequently to sin. That is how bad attitude can drive us.
In contrast, the Bible is filled with illustrations of what positive attitude can bring in the life of believers.
What influences our Attitude?
- The company we keep
1 Cor 15:33: Stop being deceived: "Wicked friends lead to evil ends."
If you associate with winners, you develop a winning attitude
If you associate with failures, you develop a failing attitude.
It is said that “show me your friends, I will tell you who you are”
- Thing we read, hear, or see
Our society is greatly a reflection of what we have been watching, reading and hearing. Morality has been compromised and instead we have adopted what we see.
A wise man once stated “Do not think that what your thoughts dwell on does not matter. Your thoughts are making you”
What you think about is what you read, see or hear.
You cannot stop a bird from flying, but you can stop it from nesting on you. Choose what to absorb
- Our environment
The story of the 2 brothers brought up by a drunk father and how each turned out to be.
- Beliefs and traditions.
Principles of Attitude
- Our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect its outcome more than anything else
Two men looked up from prison bars. One saw mud, the other saw stars, freedom and… (Prison break)
“Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. It our attitude a the beginning of a difficult task which more that anything else will affect its successful outcome.
- Our attitude determines our relationship with people.
Luke 6:31: Whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them.
If you hate you will be hated
If you love, you will be loved
- Our attitude is the major difference between success and failure
This principle can be illustrated mathematically. If we represent all the letters of the alphabet by their corresponding numerical position (A is 1, B is 2... etc), then
H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
AND, look how far the love of God will take you
L-O-V-E- O-F -G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%
- Our attitude can turn our problems into blessings or into bigger problems
What is the difference between an obstacle and opportunity? ATTITUDE.
Numbers 13:25 – 14: 3
This passage tells of the report the spies who had been sent to spy the Promised Land brought. Whereas most of them thought that the land was unconquerable, Joshua and Caleb had a positive attitude, the could take up the mighty Amelikites. The people almost stoned Joshua and Caleb for having this positive attitude. As a result, the children sojourned for another 40 years and none of the people alive at the time of the report was alive, but Joshua and Caleb.
Believers are not immune from attacks; they are immune from the effects. This is only made real by their attitude.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom 8:28
- Our attitude not our achievements will bring us happiness and satisfaction.
A happy person is not a person with certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with certain set of attitude.
The thoughts in your mind are more important than the things in you life.
- Our attitude can give us uncommonly positive perspective
Why did the achievers overcome problems while thousands are overwhelmed by theirs? They refused to hold on to the common excuses for failure. They turned their stumbling blocks into stepping stones. They realized that they couldn’t determine every circumstance in life but they could determine their choice of attitude towards every circumstance. [John Maxwell]
David and Goliath story 1 Sam 17
- Our attitude will change when we do
When to change your attitude
When you have become: negative, critical, rebellious, defiant, impatient, uncooperative, discouraged, arrogant, self-centered, rude etc.
To change your attitude
1. Identify and Repent of Bad Attitudes
Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."
2. Submit Your Attitudes to God
Bring your attitudes into obedience to God’s Word. Apply discipline to your thought life — submit your thoughts to those of Christ’s. A good attitude is a matter of faith, disregarding your feelings, with a determination to embrace God’s outlook and disposition.
2 Corinthians 10:5 "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."
3. Equip And Feed Your Attitudes
Dwell on the things that God’s word tells us to — those good and virtuous things. If you dwell on the negative, your attitude will reflect the same.
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."
(2 Corinthians 10:6)
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