Friday, February 28, 2020

Maintaining a Godly Attitude


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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