EXPEL

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk in the FUTILITY of their mind – Ephesians 4:17

Attitudes – either positive or negative – originate in the heart and are nurtured in the mind. They are inner dispositions of the heart and thoughts; the hidden intentions which eventually serve as basis for our actions: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Pro. 23:7). No one else really knows the thoughts of your heart, except you and God. Attitude is something that only you and God can work out – a change which must take place inwardly. Negative attitudes flow from the futility or vanity of the mind: “…that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind” (Eph.4:17). Such ‘negatives’ are often displayed outwardly in words or actions, such as being: apathetic, arrogant, hyper-critical, defiant, discouraged, discouraging, impatient, negative, presumptuous, rebellious, rude, self-centred, uncooperative, and such like. Once exposed, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, you can renounce, reject, and expel the negatives, and replace them with positives.

Although everyone has attitudes, they differ from individuals. Some individual’s attitudes propel them along, helping them to deal with challenges, overcome obstacles, and accomplish objectives. Others have attitudes that are pegs, slowing them down or stopping them altogether. Identifying any negative attitude lurking in the corner of your heart or mind is a big step forward in overcoming them. Although the list is not exhaustive, negative attitudes include: aggression, anger, betrayal, bigotry, blame, cowardice, cynicism, depression, dishonesty, envy, flippancy, greed, hatred, indifference, indiscipline, ingratitude, intolerance, irresponsibility, jealousy, pessimism, prejudice, pride, resentment, revenge, sadness, selfishness, scepticism, suspicion, and thoughtlessness. These could manifest in the home, workplace, church, society, and politics. They can relate to our poise, posture, packaging or presentation. Some individuals seem to perpetually carry dark clouds over their heads; others actually create problems where there were none!

It’s a bad attitude when you attend church cheerfully only so long as your career or business prospers – as long as everything is going well for you. But when hard times set in, how is your response? Do you drop away? Do you become resentful toward God or even critical of other Christians? The right attitude to have when challenges come is to persevere in faith and draw nearer to God – to at the Master’s feet. God works all things together for our good when we love Him, and the testing of our faith is for our benefit (Rom.8:28; Jam.1:2-4). Challenges will never cow the person with a right attitude.  What happens to you does not have to live within you. Your circumstances do not have to control you. Even negative circumstances can serve as stepping-stones to your break-through. Challenges and trials can either bring out the worst in us or inspire the best. It all comes down to which attitude you choose. Toxic attitudes have a way of rubbing off, and exposure to them, over a period of time, might damage right attitudes. You must be wary of people who carry such an atmosphere.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21). It’s a bad attitude if, rather than being submissive, remorseful and repentant, the backslider becomes offended by biblical correction by other believers, and decides to change church or even accuse others of condemning or judging him or her (2 Tim. 4:2, 1 Cor. 5:11-13, Gal. 5:19-21, Gal. 6:1). As a general rule, persons who have a bad attitude toward authority figures, also often have a problem submitting to God. So, what negative and toxic attitudes have you spotted and exposed; it’s time to reject and EXPEL them from your system! Do you find it easier to be stressed or strengthened? Are you getting bitter or better? It’s always your choice!