Attitude # 3

     We’ve been on the subject of having a Right Mental Attitude for the last few weeks. I want to stay on this subject, today.

I.  1st of all I want to say that I am not teaching on Mind Over Matter, I am not teaching on the Power of the Mind, I am not teaching on Science of Mind, or New Age.

A.           When we teach on a subject like this people often think that we’re teaching on NEW AGE or that we are teaching on Psychology.

1.   I am not teaching on New Age, and I am not teaching on Psychology.

a.            I’m teaching on what the Word of God says about the mind.

b.           The Word of God has much to say about our mind.

2.            The word “SOUL or MIND” arrears over 600 times in the KJV.

a.            God wants us to know some things about the mind and what to do with it.

II.  The Bible talks about a willing mind.

A.           A willing mind is going to produce action.

1.            The majority of the time, our actions are preceded by thoughts, unless it’s an act of instinct.

a.            A person will think about something and then do it.

2.            That’s why God stressed to Joshua to meditate on the Word.

B.          Turn to JOSH 1:8

1.            The Lord was telling him that, “Meditation on the Word should come before action.”

2.            In other words, He told him to get into the Word, talk the Word, think about the Word, meditate the Word, and have a willingness of mind to do the Word.

a.            He tells us to get into the Word that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.

b.           The NIV says, “So that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”

(1)         As you meditate on the Word, you will have a willingness of mind to do the Word.

C.          Look at what David told Solomon in 1CHRON 28:9

1.            We are to serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind.

D.           In (1 COR 8:10-12) from the NIV Paul says, “And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so (There was a willingness).  11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.  12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”

1.            In referring to giving, Paul says “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable.”

a.            Paul places a high value on the willingness of mind.

(1)         Willingness to do the Lord’s will.

2.           Turn to PHIL 4:10

a.            In this V Paul is also talking about willingness.

b.           They were concerned about Paul and they wanted to help, but they didn’t have an opportunity.

(1)         In other words there was a willingness of mind, but no opportunity.

III.         Willingness of mind is important.

A.           For example, if God tells you to do something, He will speak to your heart, your spirit.

1.            He doesn’t speak to your head.

2.            But if you do not have a willingness of mind, you will not obey what God tells your heart to do.

B.          ISA 1:19

1.            There is no limitation to a man who has faith in his heart, a right mental attitude, and a willingness of mind.

a.            As the Bible says, “He will eat the good of the land.”

C.           Satan will try to destroy a willing mind, or a right mental attitude.

1.            He will bring different tests and trials, trying to get you to fear or have doubt in your heart.

a.            If he can get you to fear or doubt in your heart, he can stop you from receiving the promises of God.

b.           Look at MARK 11:23-24

(1)         He’s talking about receiving the promises of God, but doubt in the heart or fear will stop you from receiving.

2.            When Peter said in (1 PETER 1:13) “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober.”

a.            He was implying that you need to have a right mental attitude at all times.

(1)         You can only do that if your mind is renewed to the Word of God.

(2)         You need to be meditate on God’s Word daily.

(3)         Just like He told Joshua, “Meditate therein day and night.”

b.           It’s only by you continuously feeding on God’s Word that will produce the faith in your heart to give you the victory.

D.           You need to get mad at the Devil.

1.           ECC 7:7

a.            When the Devil brings those tests, trails, and tribulations, get mad at him.

(1)         When I say get mad at him, I’m not telling you to swear at him or anything like that.

(2)         But you can have a righteous indignation.

b.           Paul said in (EPH 4:26) “Be ye angry, and sin not.”

2.            You need to draw the battle lines.

a.            Let the Devil know that you are not going to stand by and allow him to win.

(1) Fight the good fight of faith. Stand on the promises of the Word of God. Resist him with the Word.

(2)         Use the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God, to shred him into pieces.

IV.        Turn to PSA 27:1-6

A.           Notice the phrase in (V 6) “Sacrifices of Joy.”

1.            Being joyful might be the furthest thing from you when you’re going through different test and trails.

a.            It might seem the least opportune time to be joyful when you’re being tried by Satan.

2.            But when you’re under pressure and circumstances are all running contrary to God’s Word, and it seems as though everything is against you; this is when you need to offer sacrifices of joy.

a.            Or as the Hebrew puts it, “Shouts of joy.”

B.           In (V 3) David said, “In this will I be confident.”

1.            Even when he was going through all these things, he still kept his confidence in God.

a.            This shows that he still had the right mental attitude, but it didn’t end there.

2.            In (V 6) he says, “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me.”

a.            That means, “I have victory.”

b.           That’s a faith statement if I ever heard one.

3.            Even when David was experiencing some hard times, he kept a right mental attitude.

a.            He even offered sacrifices of joy and praises to God.

C.          Turn with me to 2CHRON 20.

1.            In the beginning of this chapter we have Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, crying out to God.

a.            The children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir were about ready to attack Judah.

b.           Listen to the end of Jehoshaphat’s prayer. 2CHRON 20:12

(1)         I like that, “Lord, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”

2.           The Lord began to speak through 1 of His prophets, listen to what He said in V 15

a.           Drop down to V 21-22.

3.            We can learn so much from this.

a.            When things seemed to be there worst for Judah, they went to the Lord in prayer, kept their eyes on the Lord, got His Word on the subject, kept the right mental attitude, and began to praise the Lord.

(1)         There is power in praise.

b.           If we would also do these same things as Judah did, we can also say “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” (2COR 2:14)

WOLCC SUN AM 7/2/95 and WOLCC Sunday, September 17, 2000.