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Attitudes & Consequences I) Defining Attitude & Its Importance A) Dictionary.com defines attitude as "manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, esp. of the mind." 1. We might say an attitude is a way we tend to look at things; the way we interpret events and people around us. Everybody as at least one attitude. 2. It is often our expectations of how things will work out. a. Some people tend to be negative and say things such as; "it won't work", "nothing good ever happens to me" or "why it is things like this always happens to me." b. See an attitude expressed in 2 Kings 6.1-7, esp. v. 5. Dad always said that things tear up when we borrow them. c. Others see the good in almost any situation: difference between seeing a gray cloudy day and a beautiful day with a rainbow in your heart. d. Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo e. Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.--Voltarie B) Our attitude is formed largely on past experiences 1. If we are used to bad things happening then we tend to expect more bad things to happen. U of K football fans tend to expect to lose in the last few minutes of the game. U of K basketball fans tend to expect to win. 2. Our current emotions such as anger, grief, joy, etc. can also affect or change our attitude. C) Our attitude is important because it reflects on us and what we expect. 1. Reflects on our faith or lack of such faith. a. Our faith in our God to take care of us and provide what we need, Matthew 6.30-34 b. Our perception of ourselves, whether we really have confidence in our abilities, Phil. 4.13 i. Some things will not work and some things will work ii. You will have some failures and you will have some successes. iii. You will have some major setbacks and you will have some big victories. c. Our love for or lack of love for others will determine our attitude toward them. Philippians 2.3ff. i. A loving attitude will overlook certain faults; forgive sins, hope for the best in regards to others, 1 Corinthians 13.4-7 ii. If we develop a bad attitude toward others it is because we lack love for them. 2. Our attitude is a reflection of our heart. a. In the NKJV the word attitude is not found but it is found in the NASV. b. Passages: Genesis 31.2,5; Jeremiah 12.3; Luke 1.17; Phil. 2.5; 3.15; Colossians 4.2; James 2.1 c. In the NKJV and others you will find the words heart, and mind used in its place. Why? Because our attitude is the way we think and feel about things. II) Some Bad Attitudes Which Will Lead to Destruction A) Ahab was Mr. Bad Attitude 1. Blamed others for his decisions, 1 Kings 18.17-18 a. Israel was going through a terrible drought due to Ahab's idolatry, 1 Kings 16.32-33 b. Was Ahab going to repent? Of course not, easier to just blame Elijah and God for his problems. 2. He wanted what he wanted and he wanted it right then, and everybody was supposed to give in to him, 1 Kings 21.1-6. a. Jezebel handled the matter and had falsely accused of blasphemy and killed. b. Should Ahab acted like a grown up instead of a child? Yes, but this required him to act like a grownup. 3. He got angry when somebody actually said something he did not like, 1 Kings 22. a. Jehoshapht was about to join with Ahab in a war against Syria. He wanted to inquire of God if this was right or not. b. Ahab admitted there was a prophet named Micaiah. 1 Kings 22.8, 15-16,27 B) Nothing good came about from Ahab's attitude toward God, himself, or his fellowman. 1. Israel suffered a drought, Naboth died, and Ahab went to his grave a rebellious king. 2. Nothing good happens to us which such attitudes. III) Some Good Attitudes and There Results A) "If the Lord wills I will do this or that" James 4.15 1. This recognizes that God has a will and we need to be in tuned to it. 2. Our plans needs to include God for without him we will ultimately fail but with Him we will succeed. Phil. 4.13 B) If God with for us who can be against us, Romans 8.31 1. We will all have bad things to happen to us and all will have our critics but that should not stop us. 2. Life is not made up of one day races but a race that last many days. It is a marathon and we have to keep on running. Keep on swimming C) I get by with a little help from my friends, Proverbs 17.17; 27.17 1. There are numerous "one another" passages in the Bible. Pray for one another, rejoice with one another, comfort one another, etc. 2. We should also be the friend that sticks closer than a brother, Proverbs 18.24 D) What will be the result of such attitudes 1. We will be happier because we take the emphasis off ourselves and place it either on God or others. 2. We will realize the setbacks are temporary and not permanent 3. We will have more victories than defeats. Conclusion: How is your attitude this morning? We can change it. How many times have you heard a parent say to a child, "you better change your attitude"? It takes effort and a willingness to try but it can happen. We hope this morning you will seek the Lord and do His will. Can we help you become a child of God? Can we pray for you? If so, let us know.
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