- “Why can’t I figure this out? I’m just not smart enough.”
- “I feel like such a failure.”
- “I’m so great at my job; everyone says so.”
Good attitude, negative attitude, confident or arrogant? What do our attitudes say about our identity or who we believe we are?
Our Attitudes
Webster defines an attitude as a settled way of thinking or feeling reflected in behavior. Do people tell you that you have a good or bad attitude? What makes you have a good or bad attitude? Do you believe that you can change your attitude?
We all have many attitudes throughout the day, depending on what we think and feel. The apostle Paul tells us to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5) If we are not grounded in Christ every morning, it is too easy to get pulled into an extreme attitude. Let’s look at two attitude extremes.
Extremes in Our Identity Affect How We Value Ourselves and Others
Whether we realize it or not, we choose our attitude from our feelings and beliefs about who we believe we are. Where we get our identity determines the value we place on ourselves and others. There are two value extremes people can be pulled into without realizing it.
First Extreme: If we believe that we are less than others, we’re not enough, we don’t deserve to be loved, or that no matter what good things happen, the bad things are waiting to ruin the good, we are living from an identity of lies. Our false identity is formed from comparing ourselves to others and painful devaluing experiences that have skewed our self-perception. In our pain identity, we get caught up in our emotions and desire to stop the pain. The enemy loves to keep us in our self-fix-it mode to keep us from seeking God’s truth and the help of Jesus.
If you proclaim to be Christ’s disciple, but you are living in this devaluing false identity, you haven’t learned and accepted who you are, a miracle created by the hands of God himself. Although you have received Salvation, you will not instantly know who you are in Christ as a new creation. You will need to grow your relationship by studying God’s word and Christ’s life to know who you are in Christ.
Jesus will help you see how to walk in his ways and know that you are a child of God. You will learn to live in his forgiveness, righteousness, love, peace, grace, mercy, and joy. You will know your identity is from your creator and not from your experiences, performance, or the messages you have heard of chosen to believe.
When you know that Jesus Christ lives in you, you will learn to go to him for help, answers, guidance, strength, and power. Your questions will be directed to Jesus and not at devaluing his temple, which is your body. Living in gratefulness gives you a positive and grateful attitude.
Second Extreme: if we believe we are better than most people or we are the BEST, we deserve and are entitled to the best, or that we will have the best at all costs, we become arrogant, entitled, a bully, the mean person, narcissistic, and abusive. Living in this mindset and identity is at the center of the devil and man’s fall. The fall of both comes from the sin of pride.
Having a self-absorbed mindset and being focused on your desires leads you to believe the universe revolves around you. It is the devil’s favorite tool to keep you from seeking the wisdom, knowledge, and humble love of Christ. The enemy often uses self-focus to make you believe that you are protecting yourself or making sure you get what you deserve. He twists your pain to keep you from going to Jesus for healing and restoration.
God is clear about what the sin of pride does in our lives.
- “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
- “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18)
- “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I (God) hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Prov. 8:13)
Pride separates us from God and Jesus. When we proclaim to be a disciple of Christ, we must understand that our proclamation means we will study and follow the ways, characteristics, principles, words, attitudes, and actions of Jesus. If we are not going to mirror the life of Christ to the best of our ability, we must not proclaim that we are Christian or Christ’s disciples.
If we are living only for ourselves, our attitudes will show our self-focus. Jesus tells us. “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good or make a tree bad and its fruits will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.” (Matt. 12:33) Our attitudes indicate what is truly in our hearts.
The Apostle Paul tells us that “Our attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). The only way to have Christ’s attitude of love, respect, grace, mercy, and gratefulness is to walk hand in hand with him every day. There’s no way to hide what’s true in our hearts and minds because our attitudes reveal it.
God’s Revelation Brings Truth
One of the greatest revelations in my life came when I realized that my identity in Christ is not affected by who I believed I was in the past or what others said. My new identity in Christ made me clothed in his righteousness. My spirit began healing, and I slowly learned to walk in Christ as he transformed my mind, heart, and emotions to mirror his.
I saw myself as a child of God, a friend of Jesus, and a servant of my Lord whom I want to please. I wake up in the morning realizing that I am free from my past and ready for the new adventure God has planned for me today. In my new life, my good attitude is formed from my gratefulness.
When you embrace your Christ identity and realize that you have the freedom to choose your identity and attitude every day, you can choose to glorify Jesus. The apostle Paul instructed us. “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. (Eph. 5:1-2, NLT)
Living as Christ’s Disciples
It’s time for Christ’s disciples to live up to their proclamation. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, our lives are not our own. Our purpose and mission are to love God above all and to love others as we love ourselves. As we live in Christ’s love, we are to share his saving Gospel with the world. Our sharing must not be only in our words.
As Christ’s disciple, you are the Jesus people will see, hear, and experience today. Christ’s disciples are responsible for honoring Jesus for his sacrifice by loving others as he loves us. One of the first things people sense from us is our attitude. What attitudes do you think people sensed from Jesus? They sensed compassion, respect, value, kindness, grace, love, gentleness, and hope. How does your attitude reveal the Spirit of Jesus Christ living in you?
One smile, degrading word, or abusive action change a person’s life, and Jesus knew this. Without Jesus, there is no hope for this world. We are his light, hope, and saving gospel. But no one will be open if our attitudes are dark and destructive.
Best Safeguard Against a Bad Attitude
The best safeguard against a bad attitude is to focus on being grateful the minute you wake up. A bad and good attitude can’t live in the same space.
Thank Jesus that you are saved and righteous; you can get out of bed, eat, get dressed, and that you have a new opportunity to encourage and help and love others. Push away any darkness by focusing on the light of Jesus. If you have concerns, talk about them with Jesus but leave them at his feet.
When we know that we are God’s child, and we work with Jesus to let him lead us. We can overcome our temptation to react or have a bad attitude when we come across others with bad attitudes at work, home, or in the world. Christ’s disciples can no longer act like having a bad attitude doesn’t matter. We are responsible for learning and choosing to have good attitudes by learning to love others as Christ loves us.
If you struggle with your attitudes because of feelings and past pain, seek a professional’s help. You can’t change your life and attitudes if you are living in the past. Walk in your Christ identity. You are God’s child and an ambassador for Christ. Choose to have his loving attitude and change the world!
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