Having a Good Attitude

Having a Good Attitude

November 1, 2010

Introduction

On a questionnaire turned in just about two months ago, this request was made: Attitude: Having a good attitude. Several years ago, I found out that airplanes have attitudes. One of the attitudes of an airplane is a “nose up” attitude. Guess what happens to a plane that has a “nose up” attitude.

It’s interesting that we sometimes refer to people as having their “nose in the air.” That isn’t thought of as a good attitude, but there is something to be said for “up.” “Up” is obviously the opposite of down. There is a synonym for down, it’s called depression. There are many great up attitudes. We sometimes refer to them as positive attitudes. What are some of the positive attitudes that we have, and where do we get them?

Body

I. Good attitudes begin with a right relationship with God.

Cain is a good example of a bad attitude and a bad relationship with God.

(Gen 4:6-7 NKJV) So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? {7} "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

1. Cain was upset and it showed in his face: And why has your countenance fallen?

2. God told Cain what to do with his bad attitude: “but you should rule over it."

3. But he didn’t, and the next verse records the murder of Abel.

(Gen 4:8 NKJV) Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

4. Bad attitudes don’t often lead to murder, but they often lead to bad situations.

Good attitudes begin with faith in God.

1. A worried attitude often expresses a lack of faith in God.

(Mat 6:30-31 NKJV) "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? {31} "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

2. Joseph was one who had a good attitude.

(Gen 39:7-9 NKJV) And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." {8} But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. {9} "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

a. Joseph was faithful to God even when far from everyone who knew him.

b. He didn’t become bitter when he had been done wrong.

(Gen 39:21-22 NKJV) But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. {22} And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.

II. Others take notice of your attitude.

They noticed that Jesus was caring and compassionate.

(John 11:35-36) Jesus wept. {36} Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

His attitudes and His actions worked together.

(Mark 7:37 NKJV) And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

III. Everyone needs a right attitude.

A. Paul said to be careful about our attitude about ourselves.

(Rom 12:3 NKJV) For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

1. Thinking too highly of ourselves makes us offensive to others.

2. Thinking we are nothing causes us to do nothing.

3. The answer: to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith”

B. Peter said elders need a right attitude.

(1 Pet 5:2-3 NKJV) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; {3} nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

C. All of us are to have the mind of Christ

(Phil 2:5-8) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, {6} who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, {7} but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

IV. What do you do with a bad attitude?

A. Admit the problem.

1. Many people live their lives in denial.

They are like the mother who pointed out her out of step son to those around her and said, “Look, they’re all out of step but my son!”

2. You may need to confess your problem to one or more people.

(James 5:16 NKJV) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

a. Ask others to pray with you and for you.

b. Offer your own prayers.

B. Have a real desire to want to overcome the problem.

1. We must have the desire to overcome our bad attitudes.

2. Think about how you sound and look, and how you are coming across to others.

3. Would others be shocked if they knew you were a Christian and acting as you do, or with the expressions you express.

Conclusion

I. Bad attitudes are serious problems.

They hinder us from being a good influence on others.
They make us unpleasant to be around.
They interfere with our Christian life.
They can lead to serious sins. For Cain, it was murder.

II. Is your life right with God?

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