Our lives are shaped by our attitudes. We translate into physical (or spiritual) reality the thoughts and attitudes we hold in our minds, no matter what they are.
If we have a good, positive attitude we will accomplish much. If we take the attitude that we cannot do something, we generally will not do it. With an attitude of failure you’re defeated, whipped before you start.
On the other hand, whenever you find a person doing an outstanding job you’ll find a person with a right attitude. These people take the attitude that they can accomplish whatever they set out to do.
Paul wrote about attitude in his letter to the Philippians (read Philippians 2:4-5).
I think it is safe to assume that the small group of brethren in Philippi had their share of conflicts; they fell short in vital spiritual growth at times. Paul’s letter was to help them catch up. One reason we need to study his letter is that we have some of the same problems they had, one of those being our attitude.
We might ask ourselves: What is my attitude toward other brethren in the Church or outside? Is it positive or negative? Does being a Christian give an optimistic outlook on life in general? Is God’s Spirit growing within me? Am I helping others to grow?
It’s seldom comfortable to answer such sticky questions, but it’s good to face the facts. If we’re right with God, we should be right with God’s people. We should even be right with ourselves.
Our actions can be motivated by pride. Our actions and attitudes can be prompted by personal ambition, greed vengeance or some other unworthy motive. These ungodly characteristics do creep in, and we must be on our guard against them.
That’s why Paul exhorts us to do a little self-study and check out our true motivations. How can we tell when we’re on Christ’s wavelength? The answer: When we consider others better than ourselves. (Read Philippians 2:3).
Paul doesn’t mean that we should become incapable of discerning others’ weaknesses or overlook our own strengths and abilities either. Paul’s next statement explain: (read Philippians 2:4).
He is saying we shouldn’t be so wrapped up in thinking how great we are that we have no time to be concerned about others. We should be other-centered, not self-centered. This is the right attitude of a true Christian.
That doesn’t come natural to human beings, does it? But it’s worth working at, and with God’s Spirit it can be done.
In verse 5 a word is used that gives us additional insight on our attitude.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Every time we read that scripture we should put our name in the place of you. It should make us stop and think before we act or react to any given situation.
The mind is where the whole personality is formed. Our decisions are made and our priorities are established in our mind. So to have the mind or attitude of Christ we need some input on what and how He thinks about things.
There’s plenty of input in the verses that follow (read verses 6 to 8).
Do we follow Christ’s example and attitude?
This is the kind of attitude we ought to have and need to be developing daily.
But it’s easier said than done, I know.
How do we succeed in putting ourselves last? Do we unusually consider the welfare of others more important than our own? Half the time? Twenty-five percent of the time? Ten percent of the time?
That’s why it is good for us to read and reread Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
Every day we face choices. In our choosing, our exercise of our will, we shape our character. We develop positive or negative attitudes. If we choose to follow Christ’s example, He will honor our efforts and with God’s Spirit help us become more and more like Him. It’s worth the effort.
Read how Peter explained our calling (read I Peter 3:8-9).
How is our attitude today?
