Maintaining a Godly Attitude

Jun. 26, 2017 | By Creflo Dollar

Maintaining a Godly Attitude

Our attitude is extremely important, and it’s one of the first things people notice when they come face to face with us. If we’re not careful, we can let the world’s influence affect our mindset and slip into a wrong way of thinking. Guarding our minds against attacks from the devil and keeping Jesus first and foremost in our spiritual vision helps us to maintain a godly attitude.  

We have a tremendous advantage over the rest of the world because we’re in Christ, but we mustn’t let this knowledge go to our heads. We could get proud and puffed up because we have something that others don’t have that gives us victory in areas where others struggle. Jesus illustrated how we should think of ourselves in relation to others when he taught his disciples to put others first and themselves last (Luke 14:8-11).

As Christians, we demonstrate the love of Christ when we embrace an attitude of servanthood. Jesus showed what being a true servant is about when he washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-9). Like many others, Simon Peter initially didn’t understand Jesus’ actions, and Jesus had to explain the significance of what he did. “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:12-15).

Jesus deliberately made this point obvious and straightforward, yet this is a radical concept and some people will struggle with it. This is the perfect litmus test to see who is willing to humbly follow his example of service to others and who will balk because of stubborn pride. Humility allows others to see Christ in us. To reach this point, we must resist the temptation of self-centeredness.

All we need to do is use the word of God as our measurement when we want to determine whether or not our attitude is on target. We see one example of the wrong attitude in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican in which the humble publican was righteous in God’s eyes, but the proud Pharisee was not (Luke 18:10-14). The lesson here is that the moment we think we’re above everyone else is the moment we slip into self-centeredness. Humility is so important to God, he repeats it multiple times for emphasis. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

Like Christ, believers will “go against the grain” and do the opposite of what the world is doing. This includes deliberately embracing a godly attitude which might be unpopular with many, but it’s what makes us stand out from the world. The right attitude opens the door to God’s blessings. “Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” (Matthew 5:3, AMPC). This is truly a godly mindset.

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