Attitude

Introduction:

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?

What is an attitude? Oxford defines it as a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something that is typically reflected in a person's behavior. If we go by this definition, your attitude correlates with your behavior toward someone or something. Can we all agree with this? Now that we have established what attitude is, I want to ask you about it.

There are only two possible behaviors: being Christ-centered or self-centered. Allow me to explain. If your attitude is Christ-led, you are not prioritizing yourself over Christ but are instead denying yourself and taking up your cross. If it is self-led, you are preoccupied with what is important to you while attempting to impose religious activities, false humility, and harsh treatment on your body. Simply, it follows human traditions influenced by elemental spiritual forces.

Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure.

Norman Vincent Peale

The biblical story of Joseph in the Old Testament demonstrates a Christ-like attitude in believers. Despite facing betrayal and injustice, Joseph showed forgiveness and love towards his brothers, reflecting the heart of Christ.

A young woman in a toxic work environment consistently demonstrated patience and kindness towards her difficult colleagues, embodying a Christ-like attitude amidst adversity.

These are examples of a Christ-like attitude that reflects a submission to Christ.

In the story of the prodigal son, the elder brother's self-centered attitude reminds us that even believers can struggle with putting their own desires above others. This historical illustration is a cautionary tale for all Christians to examine their hearts.

Imagine a believer who always wants their way, whether in choosing church activities or making decisions within their family. Such a personal illustration can make the struggle with self-centeredness relatable to adults and teens, urging them to seek a selfless attitude.

These are examples of a self-centered attitude that reflects a rejection of submission to Christ.

Paul warns the believers in Colossae to beware of false teachers trying to impose asceticism on them. He emphasizes that following human traditions does not help strengthen believers or spread the Gospel; instead, it obstructs the work of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 2:14

Galatians 2:14 NIV

When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

The Greek has one word which would better be translated as “Are you coming under the dominion of this dogma” (dogmatizesthe). The word “dogma” was used in much the same way today. It represented an essential part of a particular teaching. “Being dogmatized.

Paul is encouraging all believers today to have a different attitude than when they were trapped in the bondage of death.

How can your attitude improve?

Paul warns the believers to avoid adopting an attitude different from Christ's.

Paul lists three ways in which your attitude is self-imposed instead of Christ-imposed.

Believer’s attitude is different when they practice self-imposed religion.

In the Old Testament, King Solomon built numerous shrines and altars to foreign gods to please his foreign wives. His compromise led to the nation's downfall. This historical account serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the consequences of self-imposed worship and the danger of compromising our devotion to God for worldly desires.

I know we do not worship foreign gods. Yes, we do! Anytime we worship with a legalistic or mystical heart attempting to appease God, we worship an image of a god we have created.

The term Paul uses suggests that these people thought they were offering God a voluntary addition to His basic requirements—a supererogatory devotion by which they hoped to acquire superior merit in His sight.

The bondage mentality seeks to earn its way into heaven.

These individuals attend church out of obligation rather than dedication.

They impose their own beliefs instead of embracing God's teachings.

They love themselves rather than prioritizing the command to love others.

Their prayers are driven by selfish ambition instead of obedience to Christ.

Believer’s attitude is different when they practice false humility.

Paul used the term to refer to physical humility, i.e., fasting, which many early Christians practiced. With the evidence identified earlier, it seems best to take this as a false humility, one aspect of self-induced religious experiences. This humility refers to a false characteristic of shame, primarily about the body.

False humility (ταπεινοφροσύνη), tapeinophrosyne, means humility. It comes from two Greek words, phren: understanding and tapings: humble. The essence of true humility lies in having a modest and honest understanding of a situation or person. Paul points out that the Colossians displayed a false sense of humility. As followers of Christ, we should strive to embody the same humility that He demonstrated. Philippians 2:6-11

Philippians 2:6–11 NIV

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

They make it difficult to accept they are sinners in desperate need of His salvation.

There is zero remorse in their heart.

They are arrogant and prideful, like the Pharisees.

They worry more about appearance than growth.

They are lovers of praise from men rather than correction from God.

They make decisions without considering others.

Believers have different attitudes when they practice harsh treatment of their bodies.

All commentators interpret this as asceticism associated with religious rituals. The main question is whether it relates to the other two or is separate from them. Based on the earlier argument, viewing this as part of the process of inducing religious experiences appears most reasonable. After enduring prolonged physical stress, the body responded in unusual ways, which they interpreted as religious experiences.

Asceticism has taken different shapes over time: wearing thick hair shirts close to the skin (as if itching is spiritual), sleeping on hard beds, whipping oneself, or prolonged fasting.

They attempt to achieve salvation by inflicting punishment on their bodies. Romans 5:1

Romans 5:1 NIV

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

The following text conveys a common misconception in our society. This is often seen in individuals resorting to self-harm or extreme diets. It's essential to recognize that we are all beautifully created in the image of God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Psalm 139:14

Psalm 139:14 NIV

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Harming our bodies will not bring us closer to Christ. Instead, we can draw closer to Him by surrendering our burdens at the Foot of the Cross. We will be encouraged by counting others more than ourselves, loving as He has loved us, and doing life together without fear of judgment but with confidence.

APPLICATION:

Your Attitude is a window to your heart.

We strive to be more Christ centered in our daily lives.

We can die to things of this world by denying ourselves and picking up our cross.

We keep fighting the good fight, even when we stumble, we get up and keep moving forward.