Christian Discipleship Course 10.

Question and answer: “Do I have a correct attitude?”

We are all influenced by the media, education, friends and others. If parents speak negative words over your life, you may not think good things could happen to you. If you listen to some non-Christian music, your thoughts may dwell on their negative/lustful words. Some TV programmes could fill your thoughts with bad images. If you come from a negative culture, that could reflect on your outlook on life.

Ephesians 4:22-24 ‘Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man…’

If you were brought up in an environment where money was everything, you could grow up with the same philosophy. As Christians we need to renew our minds to view our lives and the world just as the Bible does Romans 12:1-2.

Wisdom: What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular. We can view a glass of water as half empty or half full.

Friends can build you up or pull you down. If you stand on a wall it is easier to be pulled off, than to pull someone up. If you socialise with negative and critical people, you could be influenced to be negative. If someone you know swears a lot, you could subconsciously do the same.

Fact: The way we think determines how we act.

Faith teaches us to believe God’s promises when our eyes say it is impossible. Faith is positive – ‘anything is possible’. Doubt is negative – ‘it can’t be done’.

God can use negative experiences in our life to teach us something. Think about Job, a wealthy man who lost everything. Yet, by the end of his life, he was twice as blessed than at the beginning. James 5:11 tells us that God intended great things for Job. Romans 8:28 ‘We know that all things work together for good to those who love God…’and then it goes on to speak about trials etc 8:29-39. Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Think: Do I dwell on the negative, or do I stand in faith?

More Info: Exodus 3-15, Judges 6-8, Ruth and Esther, Job 1:21,22, 13:15, 19:25, 42:12, Romans 8:5-14, Philippians 2:2-5, 4:6-8, 2 Timothy 1:7, James 1:2-12.