Key 2 – ATTITUDE
Philippians 2: 1-5 “If there be therefore any consolation (encouragement) in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels (compassion) and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
The attitudes that we have will dictate the kind of day we will have, the decisions we will make and the interaction in relationships. Our attitudes make up a very important area of our well being and Christian witness.
A. Mindset:
Have you ever heard something like “he has the mindset of a businessman” or she has the mindset of a defeatist”? What that is saying is he/she has their mind set or mind made up…
Is the mindset the same as make up, such as character make up? Your outward character is very revealing as to the inner make up. In other words, you express or wear on the outside what you are and what you think on the inside.
If you have ever been with anyone for a long period of time who is very negative or who lacks confidence, then you know how high maintenance that person is. You can’t give them your positive outlook or your confidence but you can set an example by living out your trust and faith in front of them. You can share the Word of God with them and tell them about the promises of God but you will not be the one to make them clear and solid in their thinking. As a believer you are to be obedient to His word, but in the end, it is up to God to make the difference.
“…let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” We are to take on the thoughts…the mindset of Jesus Christ – how will that make a difference in our lives?
I believe that the main difference will be - not just what, but how we will love as well as what and how we will hate.
What do you love? How deep do you love it or them? What makes your family, friends etc., valuable and loveable?
What do you hate? Do you hate anyone? What is your reaction to something you abhor?
These are not hard or trick questions, but they are important if look at. We ‘wear our attitudes’. Perhaps you are an actress. You know the type, a big smile plastered on one’s face, a lilt in their voice yet the brow is somewhat furrowed from worry or despair. Is this wrong? No, no, but putting on an act of joy will eventually wear you thin and the smile will eventually disappear. This person often tries to be all things to all people. Proverbs 17:22 says “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” To have a true attitude of joy means you will have a happy heart, a content heart…but a broken spirit…leaves you burned out and dried up.
How then do we acquire a mind that is content along with a heart of joy? You will first need to trust God’s word to be true, and then apply it to your life. Sincerity in your walk will go a lot further than a false face of happiness when it comes to reaching out for the cause of Christ and feeling content in your own circumstances.
B. Dreaming:
My grandmother use to tell me as a teenager “never stop dreaming, if you do your dreams will die and they have no chance to come true.” What she didn’t tell me was that I had to work toward the goal. I had to set my mind to what the dream was and then put feet to it. God has a purpose for your life…is your dream in line with God’s purpose? Jerry Falwell, in his book Building Dynamic Faith* says “God has a dream for your life. Find it!” Of course he is speaking of the born again believer. We know we are saved for God’s glory not our own purpose but being such a great, miraculous and loving God…in His plan He has great things in mind for us.
It is important to realize that God’s plan for you is bigger than your dream for you. God’s plan entitles him to be in it. It is something you cannot accomplish on your own. Don’t be afraid of it. Your attitude regarding your dreams and God’s plan needs to be planted in trust and faith. Once you recognize your dream you need to do something very difficult – you need to pray about it and then wait on the Lord, especially if you perceive it as something almost impossible for you. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14) and also remember that God prepares you for all things He plans for you: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
C. Pride:
Giving credit to one that deserves credit is honorable. Accepting the compliment needs to be done with humility even if the credit given is long time in coming. Everyone needs to be recognized, but not everyone needs to be fed with high minded compliments and flattery. In fact, if you need flattery, you have a great problem. It points to the fact that you believe all you accomplish is because of you. God allows everything that comes into our lives. That means that whether you are nice looking, very intelligent, a great carpenter, engineer, etc., God gets the credit for it.
The Bible also cautions us about those who flatter. Manipulators are some of the greatest flatterers. They flatter not to give credit but to earn trust or lead another to evil. David makes this point in Psalm 5:9 speaking of his enemies.
Be aware of Pride’s power:
I John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward (perverse) mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Earlier I said that everyone needs to be recognized. I believe that. I do not however, believe that all people need flattery. Does that mean that it is wrong to tell your sister that her hair looks nice? Of course not, unless, in fact it looks terrible… that is lying…or unfounded flattery.
No, I mean that people need to be recognized because at one time or another we feel unworthy or unsure or insecure, even when we are in consistent prayer and walking diligently with the Lord. God gave his children the command to be encouragers. When we encourage with the love of Jesus Christ we build up the believer which builds up the church. God uses his word and answered prayer to encourage us… yet He also warns us about being hypocrites.
Matthew 6:5 tells us about the hypocritical manner that a prideful man prays; by doing so to gain great attention…but the Word says in verse 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut the door, pray to the Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Pride does not bring honor to God. He knows your heart and sees your deeds. Your attitude is like a great billowing flag. You fool no one but yourself if you believe you are more important than you are.
D. Consequences: - That which follows or comes after as a result – Webster’s New Dictionary
Whenever I have asked at a Bible study what the word consequence meant, the answer was almost unanimous in that it would be described as something bad that would happen due to actions taken. A consequence though is merely a result; it does not have to be negative. The consequence can be and often is very positive. For instance, the consequence of me handing our tracts and talking openly about the Lord, could very well bring about the leading of someone to Jesus as Savior. That would be awesome, powerful and positive consequences. What are your feelings about that? What is your attitude toward others who will willingly and quickly point out the need for Jesus? Are you embarrassed by them? Do you wish they would be more discreet when they are in your company? If you are uncomfortable in that scenario then perhaps you need to check your attitude. I only wish I was bolder and more confident in my own ways of sharing the Lord and His Gospel. My own attitude toward the reasons why I often hold back from doing what God expects of me needs to be under the microscope. By inspecting my attitudes frequently, I can expect God to purge me of fear and selfishness. By inspecting my attitudes I can expect more positive consequences to my actions – more often.
Sporting an attitude does not mean confidence. The believer’s attitude needs to be representative of a Christ-likeness. Our confidence lies in the truth that …being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)
Building Dynamic Faith; Jerry Falwell Day 5; Page 27 (Recommended Reading)
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