As we have seen, a proper heart attitude is vital for us to
please God. II Corinthians 5:17-18 tells
us that when we become a Christian, God gives us a new spirit or attitude. “Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new. And
all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and
hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” That new spirit or attitude is produced
by the Holy Spirit in us, so that our focus is on the things of God.
For years we
practiced our old attitude until it became a habit, and it is hard to break
those old habits and attitudes. If we do
not work at establishing a new habit of attitude we will inevitably fall back
into the same old way of thinking.
Philippians 4 lists several things we can do to help make a godly
attitude habitual
The very first step in developing a godly attitude is
learning to enjoy our lives. Far too
often we are so busy trying to get something we think is missing to enjoy what
we have. Philippians 4:4 commands, ”Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say,
Rejoice” Learn to enjoy what God has
given you. After years of constantly
trying to find something more, in Ecclesiastes 3:22 Solomon realized, “…there is nothing better, than that a man
should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring
him to see what shall be after him?” . Hebrews 13:5 directs, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee”.
Learn not to go to extremes in anything. It doesn’t matter whether we go to extremes
in politics, fashion, health, sports, or religion, those things begin to
interfere with our relationship with the lord, causing frustration when we have
to settle for something less.
Philippians 4:5 commands, “Let
your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” None of those things, not even our
extreme religious activities will count
for much when Christ returns. Ecclesiastes
7:16-17 advises, “Be not righteous over
much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Be not over much wicked, neither be thou
foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” Going to extremes will almost always destroy
ones happiness and his relationships with others.
The third thing we can do is learn not to worry. Philippians
4:6 commands, “Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.” Instead
of worrying about things, just pray about them, taking time to thank God for
all the things he has already done for you.
Thanking him for what he has done will relieve much of the stress, as
well as giving you confidence he will take care of the things you have been
worrying about. As a result, Philippians
4:7 promises, “And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.”
The fourth thing we can do to maintain a godly attitude is
to learn to focus on things that are good. The world constantly calls our attention to
the things that are bad, but we need to make a conscious effort to think about
what is good. Philippians 4:8-9
commands, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are
of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things. Those things, which ye
have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of
peace shall be with you.”
When we have a godly attitude, it is natural to do the things
that please God because we are open to the Holy spirit’s leadership rather than
being controlled by our fears and frustrations.
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