What is an attitude? It is an idea or feeling that is based on our thinking and manifests itself in the way we act. We can have a “good” attitude or a “bad” attitude. When you hear people comment about someone else having a good attitude, it usually means they have a positive attitude about something thought to be bad. So, our attitude is based on our thinking. It usually has to do with what we think about ourselves. A man who thinks highly of himself gets upset when things don’t go the way he has planned. In Galatians 6:3, Paul reminds the Galatians that they are not to think highly of themselves or be full of self-confidence. The vain conceit of knowledge will lead us to disregard others’ knowledge and their interest. However, this person, though he may think he knows it all, has not yet learned the first element of true knowledge. True knowledge will make us humble, modest, and kind to others. We will be concerned about others. A person who is truly knowledgeable about life will realize we are not sufficient on our own. He will be humble because he will understand our sufficiency is of God. His problem goes back to his thinking!
Galatians 6:3 “For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”
II Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”
There are so many things in life that we can’t control, but this area of attitude is one of which we have full control. It reveals who we really are on the inside. No matter what we think we are, our thinking will expose the truth. What is in our hearts will come out! It will usually come out in our speech. Your attitude will be revealed. You may be able to hide it from others for a while, but God knows the deep recesses of your heart, and he is looking for a heart transformation that will change your attitude.
Matthew 15:18 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” Bad or good attitudes don’t just happen. They are formed over a period of time, based on our thinking. If you think negatively, always finding fault with others, complaining, and are critical you will become that kind of person. However, if you are encouraging, seeking to help, and looking for the positive in others you will become a positive person. This does not mean that you overlook wrongs, but instead, you seek ways to help others overcome their wrongs. You seek to help them to see the positive side of things. You seek to bring truth to their thinking. Are you ready to do a check on your thinking? Your future is bound up in how you think!
Also, we need to understand that it is a sin to have a “bad attitude.” Our attitudes affect our relationship with God much more than they affect our fellow man. Our bad attitude is primarily a sin against God because if we believe scripture, we understand that ultimately, he is in control and he allows circumstances in our lives. It’s like telling God I don’t like what you have given me or allowed. It is an attitude of ungratefulness and mistrust or doubt. As a Christian, I know he loves me greater than anyone else ever could. I know that he allows situations in my life to conform me to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28-29) I know that he wants what is best for me. I also know that he, in his wisdom, knows what circumstances to bring my way to change me for the better. How I accept them determines the results of a bad or good attitude. God takes a bad attitude very seriously because it ultimately is directed at him.
Which will you choose this year? Will you look deep into your heart and be honest with yourself? Will you look at the circumstances of your life and ask God what he is trying to teach you? Will you allow your circumstance to determine your attitude and outlook on life or will you allow God’s word to bring you to a hopeful God-honoring attitude? It’s your choice! A negative, critical, sarcastic attitude that leads to a barren wilderness or a positive, grateful attitude that makes you feel as if you’ve reached the promised land!
You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can change how they affect you. You can change your attitude through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within you! To refuse to change or put off change, and wallow in self-pity, is true REBELLION against GOD!
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Check yourself, is your attitude good or bad? What does it take for your good attitude to turn bad?
