Tag: respect

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Attitude Adjustments: Simplified English Discussion Prompts based on Philippians 2:1-11

smiling black family resting on couch
Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com Does your family need ‘attitude adjustments’?

Family

What’s your family like? Do your family members RESPECT one another? Or do they need an ‘attitude adjustment’? RESPECT is important in families, including God’s family, the church.

But respect is earned by behavior that is WORTHY of it. Good behavior is worthy of respect. Bad behavior is not.

Some Bible verses about behavior worthy of respect are:

  • let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ… Philippians 1:27
  • …walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called… Ephesians 4:1
  •   â€¦walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12                                                                                           

Attitude Adjustments

To live in a manner worthy of God, we need to have a good ATTITUDE. An attitude is how we feel inside. As Christians, we must follow the behavior and attitude of Jesus. Often, we forget to do that, and we need ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.                                                 Romans 12:2

Instead of having attitudes and behaviors like the world has, we need our minds renewed to live in God’s ways. We need to have a completely different attitude than the world.  We need the attitude of Christ.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.                                                                                                                                   Philippians 2:1–2

Paul wrote this while he was in prison. Remember, Paul is writing to people who are like family to him. And so he reminds them of what they share as family, saying if you really belong to the family of God; if you find your encouragement in knowing Christ; if you know God’s love and have God’s Spirit in you; if you have any real love for the church and for me; if these things are true–if you really are Christians, then you can please me and make me happy, by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Must we all be the same?

This doesn’t mean we all have to agree on everything and have the same opinion about things. It’s about having a good attitude and living in unity with respect for each other.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.                                                                                                                               Ephesians 4:1–6

What does this mean to you?

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped…                                                                                                          Philippians 2:5–6(ESV)

Jesus is our example. He didn’t show off his power. He respected his father, God.

Love and Humility

be of the same mind, having the same love… Phil. 2:2

LOVE is what we need to hold us together as a family. Loving each other is an attitude that we must choose.

Finally, the change of attitude that Paul encourages is one of HUMILITY.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…                                                                                    Philippians 2:3–5

… being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.                                 Philippians 2:8

Therefore, Paul declares, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.        Philippians 2:9–11

Because Jesus humbled himself to even death on the cross, we must honor and respect him.

Let’s have attitude adjustments. Let our attitudes be adjusted to the attitude of Christ, an attitude of unity, love, and a humble spirit.

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Respect

You shall not revile God [the judges His agents], or esteem lightly or curse a ruler of your people. Exodus 22:28

Disrespect for authority is rampant these days. What has become of respect? As a child in the 1950s I was taught to respect my elders, teachers, pastors, police, and anyone in a position of government.

People in such positions fulfill a purpose in society–to represent God in guiding us with principles and keeping us from being wronged.

Yes, often they are wrong–sometimes even evil.

But the fact is that they ARE in a position of authority. How they got there may also be right or wrong. Nevertheless, we ought to esteem them and pray for them rather than reviling and cursing them.

We must pray that they make good decisions, God-honouring and wise. We can speak out to address issues in many ways these days–by writing to the authorities directly or by posting on social media. Yes, certainly address issues, but do it with respect.

Bear in mind that they are actually God’s agents. When you feel like cursing them, pray for them instead, that their decisions and judgements will be godly.