Sins of Attitude

This was the lesson presented to the youth sunday morning, but I think it applies to everyone NOT just youth.
God examines our lives. Not only does He view our outward actions, He especially watches the attitude behind them. Many times “how” someone says something carries almost as much weight as what they actually say. God is deeply focused on the attitude of our hearts. In a very real sense, everyone has an attitude( or spirit) about them. Revelations 3:15-16 “I know thy works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
It is clear that God desires a fervent and passionate love from His children. The attitude of lukewarmness literally nauseates God. We must understand the root of ALL SIN is a lack of fervent love for Christ, the very root of sin is the love and worship of self over God!
Ezekiel 36:26-27
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
Questions to reflect on...
I.Can you truly categorize your love and service to God as passionate?
II.Is God and His service the burning priority in your life?
III.On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your zeal for Christ?
IV.Are you on fire for prayer?
V.Are you deeply excited about Bible study, witnessing and serving God?
VI.Was there a time when you loved and served God more fervently then now?
PRIDE
1 Peter 5:5 “ God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Psalm 51:17 “ A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Pride is a subtle sin so easily over looked. Perhaps the worse form of pride is the attitude of spiritual complacency that sees little need for cleansing and growth in one’s own life. TRUE Revival ALWAYS begins with DEEP HUMILITY and BROKENESS OVER SIN!
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Questions to reflect on...
I.Do you think of yourself as quite spiritual?
II.Do you often criticize and judge others?
III.Do you spend daily time allowing God to deeply search your life, or do you feel you need little cleansing?
IV.Are you truly broken and contrite over shortcomings or do you think, “Oh well, no one is perfect”?
V.Are you desperately hungry to see a might move of God or are you somewhat complacent?
VI.Do you come across as having a “ holier than thou attitude”?
If you feel that you have nearly “arrived” and need little growth, you are guilty of the worst form of spiritual pride. God Hates self-righteousness and spiritual complacency. Immediately confess and forsake the sin of pride. Believe Christ for a spirit of genuine Humility and contriteness of heart.
ARROGANCE
Philippians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through strife of vainglory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Questions to reflect on...
I.Do you tend to draw attention to yourself?
II.Do you often promote yourself and put others down?
III.Are you highly competitive and desire to win and be number one at all cost?
IV.Do you seek to be the center of attention?
V.Do you mostly think mostly in terms of your own needs and desires?
VI.Is your attitude such that you feel you are better and smarter then others?
VII.Do you have an inordinate need to be noticed and praised by people?
VIII.Do you tend to surround yourself with “ status symbols” that flaunt wealth or appearance?
God hates all forms of arrogance and self-exaltation. If you sense God’s conviction, immediately confess this sin. Be specific and write down changes God wants you to embrace.
Judgemental
James 2:1,4 “My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons…Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” It is extremely important that we reject sins of prejudice and partiality. Because each person has great value to God, believers should never harbor hostility or prejudice toward those of different race, physical appearance or economic standing. It is profoundly wrong to pre-judge and devalue other persons. Tragically, prejudice comes in many subtle forms and is all too common among believers. Some believers arrogantly believe they can even judge the inner motives of others. Many time so often this sin goes unnoticed, it must be dealt with!
Questions to reflect on...
I.Do you associate only with those very similar to yourself?
II.Do you tend to look down on people who are not as financially affluent?
III.Do you closely associate only with your own race or culture?
IV.Are you suspicious of those of from a different race, culture or background?
V.Do you think you are too good to befriend to someone who is physically unattractive?
VI.Do you tend to resent people more physically attractive or spiritually gifted then yourself?
VII.Have you sought to reach out to other culture groups or have you settled into a social “comfort zone”?
It is perfectly understandable for people to have closer associations with those similar to themselves, such natural cultural affinities do not necessarily indicate prejudice.
However, if you harbor any hostilities or willful avoidance of others, you are indeed guilty of prejudice and partiality!
Unbeleife
Hebrews 11:6 “ but without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Unbelief is one of the most deadly sins a believer can commit, it caused the children of Israel to die in the wilderness and immediately short-circuits Gods power in the believer’s life.
Many believers live in weakness and defeat because of unbelief. Crucial prayers often go unanswered because of the lack of faith. A pattern of worry is not just a weakness, it’s a willful sin against God! God promises perfect peace to those who choose to trust rather then fear Him!
Questions to reflect on...
I.Are you often filled with more doubt than faith?
II.Do you tend to worry and fret rather then trust God?
III.Are you fully resting in Gods promises or are you frequently anxious?
IV.Do you excuse your doubt by saying, “ I have a good reason to worry”?
V.Have you let disappointments weaken your faith and prayer life?
Kindness
Ephesians 4:2 “With all lowliness and kindness, with longsuffering, and forbearing one another in love.” In a Spirit filled believer the primary mark is…a kind and loving spirit.
In a Carnal believer the primary mark is…a critical and angry attitude.
A sure sign of carnality is a loud, pushy attitude that demands its own way.
Questions to reflect on...
I.Do you have a kind, gentle spirit or are you argumentative and contentious?
II.Are you often critical and harsh with people?
III.Are you often insensitive to the feelings and needs of others?
IV.Do you tend to look for reasons to pick people apart?
V.Are you quick to get angry and speak your mind?
VI.Are you quick to point out the weaknesses of others?
VII.Do you make excuses by saying “I can’t help it, that’s just my personality”?
Love
1 Corinthians 13:4, 7 “Love suffers long and is kind, it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Forgiving attitude is a primary mark of someone right with God. Its too common for people to be highly religious, yet have a judgmental, unloving spirit. Its through the lack of love and unforgiveness, family members often build relationship barriers in their homes.
Thought we might “say” we forgive, we really don’t!
Questions to reflect on...
I.Do you respond with forgiveness and love when someone hurts you?
II.Do you make a point of actively doing good to those who have done you evil?
III.Are you carrying an internal catalogue of grievances against friends or family members?
IV.Do you brood on the ways a spouse or child has disappointed you?
V.Dou you withhold your kindness because they don’t “deserve” it?
VI.Have you determined to love family and friends with Christ’s unconditional love?
Your places of disappointment are your greatest opportunity to let Jesus shine through you. In such times as these, you will experience either your greatest growth or worst failure. Trust Jesus to fill your heart with His pure, unconditional love for others.
Contentment
1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain…And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
1 John 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
In today’s world materialism and worldliness is among the worst sins for believers (yet unacknowledged). Quite often believers are blind to materialism that subtly saturates are very souls. Rather then abiding by God’s standards of moderation, high debt has become the norm. Many believers covet symbols of worldly status and wealth, our very affluence has become a huge spiritual hinderance. “Be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5)
Questions to reflect on...
I.Do you barely tithe and yet spend extra money on pleasures?
II.In purchases have you been motivated more by greed than seeking Gods direction?
III.Do you lust for things?
IV.Would you be willing to live with less in order to embrace more God-centered patterns for your money?
V.Can you truly say “Jesus Christ is in control of my desires and finances?
VI.Have you truly prayed about financial decisions or simply went with materialism of the world?
I hope that you will truly take this to heart and if you feel that God has convicted you throught this please be sincer and go to God and get your heart right with HIM! I know that God spoke to me throught this, and im sure that he will to you too, if your just willing to let Him.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”