Joyful Living Devotional - Day 18
Day 18 – A Christ-Like Attitude
Philippians 2:5 (NLT) You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Philippians 2:5 (MEV) Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:5 (NCV) In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:5 (HCSB) Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:5 (NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:5 (ESV) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
The passion with which Paul wrote to the Philippians has been abundantly clear. Paul loves them, and they love him. Just as a father and a mother desire that their children grow into loving, grounded adults with a mature outlook on life, so he desires this for the Philippian church. He wants them to be grounded in the truth of the Good News of Christ and to grow into the very image of Jesus. He wants them to have a united heart and action toward the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus. Knowing that they will face opposition, he wants them to overflow with God’s love and be united in purpose.
The work of the Holy Spirit makes this possible, as reflected in humble, self-sacrificing care and love for one another. But they have to embrace the same attitude as Jesus, meaning that in relating to one another God’s way, they have to have Christ’s mind or attitude among themselves. Without thinking Christ’s way, it is not possible to walk and live His way.
We might think that an idea is harmless or even unnecessary to discern how and what we think. But ideas that become set in our minds will soon become our daily lifestyle and practice.
“When [Satan] undertook to draw Eve away from God, he did not hit her with a stick, but with an idea. It was with an idea that God could not be trusted and that she must act on her own to secure her own well-being.” – Dallas Willard
An “attitude” is a little thing that makes a big difference. How is yours? Have you ever considered how your world would be if everyone in your sphere of influence shared your attitude? I am not talking about a fleeting, momentary attitude; I am talking about the prevailing attitude in your life! If everyone portrayed, displayed, and practiced your attitude, would it be a thriving or a shrinking environment? Would it be encouraging or conflicting? Would it be selfish or selfless? Would it be a joyful or a sour environment?
That is the very reason Paul says, “Have a Christ-like attitude…” Having the mind of Christ amongst us will revolutionize our relationships. This Christ-like attitude will produce such love, peace, and joy amongst us that we would experience a little bit of heaven on earth. Imagine selfless people, full of love and grace, who have nothing to prove, nothing to lose, and nothing to hide. Not living to impress anyone, but in humility, esteeming others better than themselves. Honoring, preferring, regarding, loving others, and working together for Kingdom purposes. Having an overflowing love for Jesus and for others, where the second mile is just normal Christ-like behavior. Not jockeying for position or trying to get ahead, but looking out for other people’s interests.
Jesus’ attitude turns this from an “it would be nice” to an "it is very possible” when we allow His attitude to shape our actions and attitudes. Will you choose your prevailing attitude, or allow Christ’s attitude to have the run of your house?
The truth about our attitudes is that we choose them. The attitude you have in this very moment, even as you read this devotional, is 100% your choice. Here is my definition of an attitude: “It is a self-constructed response that controls your behavior and feelings towards a person, a place, a circumstance, or thing.” Simply put, your persistent thoughts create persistent feelings, which result in your persistent attitude! Positive thoughts toward others create positive feelings toward them and lead to positive behavior. The opposite is also true if we are negative towards others. Joyful living is within our grasp because no one is more joyful than Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to permanently destroy your idea of God as a mean, angry, vengeful Creator, just waiting to bear down on you when you slip up. Sin does bear consequences and penalties, but that is sin's fruit. Sin carries its own judgment and condemnation. But in Christ, there is no more condemnation when we live by the Spirit and not the flesh. The joy of Jesus is present in abundance when the mind of Christ prevails in our lives.
Now here is where we separate the pretenders from the contenders: “You must have the same attitude as Christ Jesus.” Not you ought to have, you must have! Must is an imperative necessity! You’ve got to have Jesus’ attitude. How is your attitude compared to Jesus’ attitude?
Are you willing to admit that the first environment you need to change is in your own mind? Will you start today?
“Thoughts are the place where we can and must begin to change. There the light of God first begins to move upon us through the word of Christ, and there the divine Spirit begins to direct our will to God and his way.” – Dallas Willard
Prayer:
Philippians 2:5 (NLT) You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Philippians 2:5 (MEV) Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:5 (NCV) In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:5 (HCSB) Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:5 (NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:5 (ESV) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
The passion with which Paul wrote to the Philippians has been abundantly clear. Paul loves them, and they love him. Just as a father and a mother desire that their children grow into loving, grounded adults with a mature outlook on life, so he desires this for the Philippian church. He wants them to be grounded in the truth of the Good News of Christ and to grow into the very image of Jesus. He wants them to have a united heart and action toward the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus. Knowing that they will face opposition, he wants them to overflow with God’s love and be united in purpose.
The work of the Holy Spirit makes this possible, as reflected in humble, self-sacrificing care and love for one another. But they have to embrace the same attitude as Jesus, meaning that in relating to one another God’s way, they have to have Christ’s mind or attitude among themselves. Without thinking Christ’s way, it is not possible to walk and live His way.
We might think that an idea is harmless or even unnecessary to discern how and what we think. But ideas that become set in our minds will soon become our daily lifestyle and practice.
“When [Satan] undertook to draw Eve away from God, he did not hit her with a stick, but with an idea. It was with an idea that God could not be trusted and that she must act on her own to secure her own well-being.” – Dallas Willard
An “attitude” is a little thing that makes a big difference. How is yours? Have you ever considered how your world would be if everyone in your sphere of influence shared your attitude? I am not talking about a fleeting, momentary attitude; I am talking about the prevailing attitude in your life! If everyone portrayed, displayed, and practiced your attitude, would it be a thriving or a shrinking environment? Would it be encouraging or conflicting? Would it be selfish or selfless? Would it be a joyful or a sour environment?
That is the very reason Paul says, “Have a Christ-like attitude…” Having the mind of Christ amongst us will revolutionize our relationships. This Christ-like attitude will produce such love, peace, and joy amongst us that we would experience a little bit of heaven on earth. Imagine selfless people, full of love and grace, who have nothing to prove, nothing to lose, and nothing to hide. Not living to impress anyone, but in humility, esteeming others better than themselves. Honoring, preferring, regarding, loving others, and working together for Kingdom purposes. Having an overflowing love for Jesus and for others, where the second mile is just normal Christ-like behavior. Not jockeying for position or trying to get ahead, but looking out for other people’s interests.
Jesus’ attitude turns this from an “it would be nice” to an "it is very possible” when we allow His attitude to shape our actions and attitudes. Will you choose your prevailing attitude, or allow Christ’s attitude to have the run of your house?
The truth about our attitudes is that we choose them. The attitude you have in this very moment, even as you read this devotional, is 100% your choice. Here is my definition of an attitude: “It is a self-constructed response that controls your behavior and feelings towards a person, a place, a circumstance, or thing.” Simply put, your persistent thoughts create persistent feelings, which result in your persistent attitude! Positive thoughts toward others create positive feelings toward them and lead to positive behavior. The opposite is also true if we are negative towards others. Joyful living is within our grasp because no one is more joyful than Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to permanently destroy your idea of God as a mean, angry, vengeful Creator, just waiting to bear down on you when you slip up. Sin does bear consequences and penalties, but that is sin's fruit. Sin carries its own judgment and condemnation. But in Christ, there is no more condemnation when we live by the Spirit and not the flesh. The joy of Jesus is present in abundance when the mind of Christ prevails in our lives.
Now here is where we separate the pretenders from the contenders: “You must have the same attitude as Christ Jesus.” Not you ought to have, you must have! Must is an imperative necessity! You’ve got to have Jesus’ attitude. How is your attitude compared to Jesus’ attitude?
Are you willing to admit that the first environment you need to change is in your own mind? Will you start today?
“Thoughts are the place where we can and must begin to change. There the light of God first begins to move upon us through the word of Christ, and there the divine Spirit begins to direct our will to God and his way.” – Dallas Willard
Prayer:
- Ask the Lord to examine your thoughts. Begin by reflecting on your prevailing thoughts, and if they tend to be negative, change them.
- Pray that the Lord will help you keep short accounts and ask for forgiveness for any wrong attitude you have held.
- Pray against a selfish mindset and ask for a heart of humility. (Warning: you will be placed in situations where your humility will be tested. Pass the test!)
- Ask the Holy Spirit to quicken God’s Word to you when you feel your attitude slipping. Make a decision to allow Christ’s attitude to be the prevailing attitude of your life.
Posted in Joyful Living Devotional