Positive Attitude; Welcome to a New Way of Being!

To have a positive attitude means you have a good state of mind. Your views and ethics impact life in helpful ways. You avoid or limit negative behavior. Most importantly you trust God and are self-controlled. Welcome to a new way of being!

Introduction

One key to a positive attitude is to be Christ-centered. The way you handle life problems make a difference in the outcome. Make your ways helpful, do good and be sure (have faith). My prayer for all is that we stay mindful of being positive always.

This three-part Bible study focuses on the way you think and feel (your outlook or opinion) about people and things. Are your thoughts and ways positive?

Note: The Revised King James NT (RKJNT) is the only King James (version/revision) that uses the word ‘attitude’ replacing ‘mind’ (phroneo {fron-eh’-o}) in KJV. However, the more modern translations e.g., God’s Word Translation (GW) uses the word ‘attitude’ 25 times.

Be like Christ

Let Christ himself be your example as to what your attitude should be. For he, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to his prerogatives as God’s equal, but stripped himself of all privilege by consenting to be a slave by nature and being born as mortal man. And, having become man, he humbled himself by living a life of utter obedience, even to the extent of dying, and the death he died was the death of a common criminal.

That is why God has now lifted him so high, and has given him the name beyond all names, so that at the name of Jesus “every knee shall bow”, whether in Heaven or earth or under the earth. And that is why, in the end, “every tongue shall confess” that Jesus Christ” is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father [Philippians 2:5-11 (PHILLIPS)].

What was the attitude of Jesus?

Determined and sure

Jesus was determined to do what His Father wanted Him to do. At age 12, Jesus said to Mary and Joseph, Why were you seeking me? did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business [Luke 2:49 (KJV)]?

I came down from heaven to do what God wants, not what I want [John 6:38 (ERV)].

Humble

He, the king of kings and Lord of lords, was humble. Jesus allowed His created beings to humiliate and hang Him on a cross.

Then they spit in his face, and beat him; and others struck him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy to us, you Christ, Who is it who struck you [Matthew 26:67-68 (RKJNT)]?

Our Savior was obedient even when His flesh tried to resist. He said, “My soul is very sad” [Matthew 26:38]…”The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak” [Mark 14:38]. Jesus pleaded with the Father.

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.

44 Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground [Luke 22:42-44 (WEB)].

♥ Question for ‘positive attitude – intro’: If you have the mind of Christ, what type of attitude do you have?

Be Sure

To be sure is to be strong, firm, or secure. In a spiritual sense, it is to have confidence in the faithful God. Because with God all things are possible [Matthew 19:26]. Those led by the Spirit can be sure (i.e., have a confident attitude).

Key to success

Our attitude (approach, belief, demeanor, perspective, reaction or view) can make a difference between success and failure. If we approach a task believing that we cannot complete it, more than likely we will not complete it. Without going into further detail, I want you to read the Scriptures and ask “if I am sure, does it help me have a positive attitude?”

Okay, I will give one example. Luke recorded Jesus saying ‘the impossible with men (people) are possible with God‘. As a child of God, when we learn to let God help us by working through us, it is then that “I can do all things through Christ…”(Philippians 4:13) becomes a reality. We begin that task with a positive attitude—a confident attitude, knowing God will make it possible.

Even Jesus said in John 5:30 “I can do nothing by myself: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me” (RKJNT).

It’s not you that you have confidence in, but Christ working through you. Be sure, be confident that the Lord will aid you.

A positive attitude; it’s a mind thing…

The Lord helped others and will help you…

• Rely on the ultimate Helper to help you – God is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else to people. By his power we live and move and exist [Acts 17:25 and 28 (NCV)].
• Joseph – “The Lord helped Joseph be successful in everything he did.“

“But a person who denies spiritual realities will not accept the things that come through the Spirit of God; they all sound like foolishness to him. He is incapable of grasping them because they are disseminated, discerned, and valued by the Spirit.

15 A person who walks by the Spirit examines everything, sizing it up and seeking out truth. But no one is able to examine or size up that kind of spiritual person,

16 for the Scripture asks, “Does anyone know the mind of the Lord well enough to become His advisor?” But we do possess the mind of the Anointed One. [i.e., ‘the mind of Christ’; also see Isaiah 40:13]” [1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (The Voice)].

♥ Question for ‘positive attitude – be sure’: Do you have a confident attitude?

Adjust

Never be afraid to check your attitude and adjust in a helpful way. Your life journey may bring many negative circumstances. Be happy when trouble comes, because troubles give you staying power and hope.

And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance; 4 and endurance [produces God’s] approval; and [His] approval [produces] hope [Romans 5:3-4 (AUV)].

Bad thinking is a learned habit. Don’t be afraid to change the way you see things. To stay upbeat adjust to meet whatever you face. Be careful not to turn out to be proud or arrogant (a snob; see Romans 12:6).

My testimony

I was a selfish receiver. Now I am a selfless giver. Looking for nothing in return. ‘It is a greater blessing [for you] to give [to people’s needs] than to receive [help yourselves]’ [Acts 20:35].

My lifestyle changed from needing to get high all the time. To no longer desire either drugs or alcohol (clean since March 17, 1977). The key was a change of mind and associates. Eventually, I learned to use self-control.

‘I speak with words easy to understand because your human thinking is weak. At one time you gave yourselves over to the power of sin. You kept on sinning all the more. Now give yourselves over to being right with God. Set yourself apart for God-like living and to do His work’ [Romans 6:19 (NLV)].

I hope for the best and expect nothing from people. Let me briefly explain, my hope and trust is in God who never fails. My desire is that people will do what is right but I allow them to prove that they can be trusted and am not disappointed when they fail. [Psalm 118:8-9]

• God blessed me and helped me do many things, best of all He uses me as His instrument to cast out demons, to be His spokesman and a light to draw others to Him. Like Paul, I am humbled by His trust in me and making Himself known by what He has done through me. [Titus 1:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8; 2 Timothy 1:11-12]

Consequences

There are consequences to the way you act and think. It pays to be positive, it is helpful to know the effect of a negative attitude. Here are a few:

• God will judge your words. People will have to account for every idle [careless, hurtful] word they have said [Matthew 12:36].
• He will judge your actions and thoughts (even the secret ones). ‘God will judge the secrets of men, according to my good news, by Jesus Christ’ [Romans 2:16].
• It can end badly. In short, the children of Israel complained…God responded; they died in the wilderness [read Numbers 14:26–38].

Benefits

There are benefits when you adjust your mindset. Check your attitude and allow the Lord to aid in your adjustment(s).

Change the way you think

Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God.

2 Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him [Romans 12:1-2 (CEV)].

Become a new person

So stop evaluating Christians by what the world thinks about them or by what they seem to be like on the outside. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, merely as a human being like myself. How differently I feel now! 17 When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun [2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (TLB)]!

Peace of mind

All this is from God, who through Christ made peace between us and [reconciled us to] himself, and gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with him [ministry/service of reconciliation] [2 Corinthians 5:18 (EXB)].

♥ Question for ‘positive attitude – adjust’: Do you need to adjust your attitude?

Trust God

Why should you trust God? First of all, Jesus said, “you cannot do anything without me” [John 15:5]. Basically, you would not exist without Him. Arguably, you first must believe that He is the creator of all things.

In fact, you rely on the Lord every day. Because of Him you are alive, can do what you do, and be who you are [Acts 17:28]. So put your mind at ease, believe in, and trust God!

Let not your heart be troubled: have faith in God and have faith in me [John 14:1 (BBE)].

Dependable

God is faithful [1 Corinthians 1:9]. He will come through for you.

Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains [Psalms 119:90 (WEB)].

Every temptation that you have experienced is one that commonly happens to people. But

God is dependable and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability [to cope with it]; [instead]

He will provide, along with the temptation, also a way of escaping [it], so you people will be able to endure it [1 Corinthians 10:13 (AUV)].

Caution

Do not rely on yourself. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding [Proverbs 3:5]. You cannot trust yourself or people to always be there for you. The Psalmist says, ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to depend on people’ [Psalms 118:8].

He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe [Proverbs 28:26 (BBE)].

Obedience

One of the best ways to show your positive attitude is to obey God. By doing so you will get all that belongs to the Lord.

For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ [Hebrews 3:14 (NLT)].

Be a true disciple of Christ. Jesus said, “If you people continue [obeying] my message, then you are truly my disciples. 32 And you will know what the truth is and the truth will set you free” [i.e. from bondage to sin] {John 8:31-32 (AUV)}.

Strive to be hearers and doers of the word. You have the right way of thinking when you hear and do what the Lord wants.

But you should not deceive yourselves by just listening [to God’s word] instead of doing what the word teaches [James 1:22 (AUV)].

♥ Question for ‘positive attitude – trust God’: Do you want the right attitude?

Positive Attitude wrap-up

You can

Let these words of the Lord inspire you. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” [Luke 18:27]. If you believe in the power of God. Then you can change your way of thinking. You can, with the Helper (Holy Spirit), adjust your mind in helpful ways. It is (all things are) possible with Christ [Philippians 4:13].

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance [1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)].

Your choice

Is it possible to maintain a hopeful or positive attitude? It depends on you. In most cases, if not all, you have choices. Your response or approach to an event, person, or task is in your control. Yes, it is your choice—your decision. Always focus on the positive. Choose to stay hopeful.

Tests will come, disappoints will happen, and people and opportunities come and go. But if you decide to let nothing stop you, decide to let nothing get you down; your life can be so much better. To keep a positive attitude change your ways or the way you view things. Be happy, be good and be sure.

In your lives you must think and act like [have the same attitude as] Christ Jesus [Philippians 2:5 (EXB)].

Start today, and decide to remain positive (hopeful/faithful) throughout each day. Fill your minds with love and not hate. Think of the right way of doing things. Focus on the good and not the hurtful.

Give praise and not insults. So, keep a positive attitude!

Blessings to you and your loved ones my friend(s)—♥ Tim. ☺

Study Outline

Note: parenthesis (#) encloses the key verse(s).

• Intro

  • Philippians 2:5-11 (5); Luke 2:41-50 (49); John 5:24-30 (30) and 6:22-40 (38).
  • Humble (Jesus): Matthew 26:57-68 [(67-68); compare: Mark 14:53-65 (65); John 19-24 (22)]. Luke 22:39-46 [(42-44); compare: Matthew 26:36-46 (38-39 and 42); Mark 14:32-42 (34, 36, and 39)].

• Be Sure

  • Luke 18:24-30 (27); John 5:24-30 (30); Acts 17:22-34 (25 and 28). Psalm 27:1-6 (5); Isaiah 41:8-16 (13); 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (3-4). Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:9-21 (16c); 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 (18-20); Colossians 1:9-14 (11).
  • Joseph’s story: Genesis 37:1-36 and 39:1-50:26 {focus on Genesis 39:2-5, 21-23; 41:39-40; 49:22-26; 50:19-20 and 24}.

• Adjust

  • Romans 5:1-5 (3-4); Acts 20:17-38 (35). Romans 6:15-23 [(19); Psalms 62:5-8 (8); 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (27)]. Romans 2:1-16 (16).
  • Consequences: Matthew 12:33-37 (36-37); Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (13); Romans 2:1-16 (16).
  • Benefits: Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 (16-18).

• Trust God

  • John 15:1-8 (5); Psalms 146:5-9; Acts 17:23-34 (24, 26 and 28). 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (9); Psalms 119:89-96 (90); 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (13).
  • Proverbs 3:5; Psalms 118:5-9; Proverbs 28:26. Hebrews 3:7-15 (14); John 8:31-36 (31-32); Luke 8:19-21 (21) and James 1:21-27 (22).

• Wrap-up

  • Philippians 4:10-20 (13); 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Philippians 2:1-11
    (5).

See the latest on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Related studies, lessons, and snacks for further spiritual growth:

Spiritual Attitude – The Right Mindset Is “I Can Do” – an estimated 23-minute read.

Joyful; Endure Your Life Tests; Stay Full Of Joy – an estimated 18-minute read.

Let God Take Care of Your Worries and Concerns – an estimated 4-minute read.

Startling: The Holy Spirit Doesn’t Cause People To Fall – an estimated 9-minute read.

Copyright information:

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Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission. || (ERV) Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission. || (EXB) The Expanded Bible Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright ©2011 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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(NCV) Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. || (PHILLIPS) The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Philips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission. || (The Voice) The Voice Scripture taken from The Voice™. Copyright © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || (TLB) Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.