Thinking vs. attitude.

Attitude: noun- a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior

• a position of the body proper to or implying an action or mental state

• informal truculent or uncooperative behavior; a resentful or antagonistic manner : I asked the waiter for a clean fork, and all I got was attitude.

• informal individuality and self-confidence as manifested by behavior or appearance; style : she snapped her fingers with attitude.

• the orientation of an aircraft or spacecraft, relative to the direction of travel. Wikipedia dictionary

Have you ever had a conversation, got interrupted or sidetracked, but sensed within yourself, that something was left unsaid or unfinished? That happens to me frequently. In this case, the sensation involved our Romans 12.2 ‘think well’ section. I had planned on being finished with the ‘thinking chair’ briefing, (which—may I ask, did you read it? ‘Twas provocative), but I felt unsettled, sensing that things were unfinished. Then it hit me … attitude. I was on the elliptical trainer at the gym this morning, entertaining several ideas at the same time, when I began batting around ‘does our thinking shape our attitude, or does our attitude shape our thinking’? Perhaps the answer is ‘yes’—both are true. And to be transformed by the renewing of our minds would certainly involve an attitude check.

Which comes first—thoughts or attitude? Let’s think about it--if I told you that your attitude about your job was poor, the only way to effect any change in your attitude would be to examine your thinking about that job. Take a look at the first line of the definition above—attitude: a settled way of thinking. It seems then that you have let your thoughts shape an outlook or a disposition toward something…right? So, taking apart the thoughts behind your outlook would be the only way to understand and then alter your attitude.

When I think of ‘attitude’ in Scripture, one passage comes to mind—Philippians 2, which I have loved since I was in college. Paul wrote, ‘have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus …’ Oh Paul, blessed man that you are! You are going to tell us what our attitudes should be like…saying they should be just like those of Jesus. Go ahead, Paul … I’m listening. ‘Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant . . .’ What attitude did Jesus have, that Paul suggested we ought also have?

This attitude of Christ’s allowed him to see things in perspective,

this attitude that Jesus exhibited made him a pleasure to be around…why, he was sought-after company at weddings and feasts!

This attitude was the same one that prompted him to weep with Mary and Martha when their brother died, (though he knew he would raise him from the dead!)

This same disposition prompted him to pick up the basin and the towel and wash his disciples’ feet his last night spent with them …

If our definition at the start has any merit, then what settled way of thinking did Jesus possess? May I suggest that Jesus’ attitude was one of humility … right thinking of himself… and his purpose. Then what sort of attitude should we have? we should have an attitude of humility. Look at the definition again--a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something—ourselves; typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior--how we act, how we treat others. Paul wrote, ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.’*

Right thinking -> proper view of oneself -> attitude of humility -> thinking of others first . . . a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior. So, thinking vs. attitude? 'Need an attitude adjustment? Then examine your thinking.

Christine

*Philippians 2:3-4