To say
someone (real or fictitious) has an “attitude” usually suggests s/he is walking
around with a chip on the shoulder daring others to knock it off, or something along
those lines. It’s as if the person is pushing for an argument or some kind of
conflict. Has anyone ever said “s/he’s got an attitude” about you? Usually if
we have an attitude we are trying to communicate it. We want people to know
we’re angry or annoyed or impatient. Kids want their parents to know when
they’re unhappy, so they “cop an attitude” that shows in their body language
and in their tone of voice. Many of us who have been parents have had the
phrase “Don’t give me that attitude, young man (or young woman)” on our lips
more than once.
This
week I have decided to spend some time thinking on the state of my attitude. I
once observed a mission team leader use a phrase regularly with the teenage
members of the team who were in the midst of a tour. Extended travel time together
for any group of young people can be stressful, and every now and then he would
call out loudly, “Attitude Check!” It would serve as a reminder to team members
to remember their commitment to the Lord, to one another, and to the mission.
In doing so, the call to serve like Christ would be brought to mind and serve
as an encouragement to adjust any attitudes that were not in line with Christ.
Our
attitude is a powerful force in our lives. The World English Dictionary describes attitude in this way: “the way a person views something or tends to behave towards
it, often in an evaluative way”. Another definition is: “manner,
disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing;
tendency or orientation, especially of the mind”. Both of these definitions are
describing a thing that I have control over. In other words, my attitude is
always subject to my will. Though outside factors may influence it, the state
of my attitude in any given situation is fully under my control. One of the
external factors which seek to impact my attitude the most is other people: how
they act, how they speak, what their own attitudes are, etc. But I can never
blame another person for my attitude. My attitude is my own, and it is subject
to my will. If I want it to be positive, encouraging, and constructive, it will
be. If I want it to be negative, critical, and destructive, it will be. I
choose what my attitude will be.
Throughout
this week, as I think on the state of my attitude, I aim to meditate on
Philippians 2, verse 5: “Your attitude
should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”. Throughout each waking hour…
thinking about that call the Holy Spirit gave through Paul… realizing that only
the presence of the Holy Spirit can show me that attitude of Jesus and shape me
to it. In the car… my attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. With
my family… on my job… with my brothers and sisters in Christ… with my
neighbors… toward the politicians who serve me… in all these things, what will
it take for my attitude to be the same as Jesus’? I must surrender my attitude
to His kingship: no ifs, ands, or buts. I must let it go, so that Christ’s attitude
is on display in me.
In
the verses before and after verse 5 Paul reminds me about some of the
characteristics of the attitude of Jesus: tenderness and compassion (v.1), no
selfish ambition or vain conceit (v.3), humility (v.3), considering others
better than myself (v.3), looking to (caring about) the interests of others
(v.4), taking the nature of a servant (v.7), full obedience to the Father (v.8).
In the scope of the New Testament we can find many more. So each day there will
be good times and opportunities for me to conduct an attitude check in answer
to the question: “Is my attitude the same as that of Christ Jesus?” Doing this
prayerfully will, no doubt, have a transforming impact in me as the Holy Spirit
“forms” Christ in me.
If
you would like to join me, I encourage you to write out Philippians 2:5 on a
small card, carry it with you and take it out often, so that you might end up
memorizing it. In doing so, it will become part of God’s Word hidden in our
hearts, helping us to avoid sinning against God.
Philippians 2:1-8 (NIV) 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by
being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should
look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be
grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of
a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even
death on a cross!
Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV) 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to
your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me
stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my
heart that I might not sin against you.
PRAYER: Father, lead me to be a “doer of Your Word”
with regard to Philippians 2:5, that I might consciously, intentionally, and
obediently conform my attitude to the truly and fully humble attitude of your
Son, Jesus Christ. In His name I pray, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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