Attitude—The Difference Maker #9: Obstacles in the Path

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4 NLT).

I recently came across some humorous ways to know if you would have been better to stay in bed than to get up and face the day. You know it’s going to be a bad day when…

 

· You turn on the morning news and it’s showing you emergency routes out of town.

· The sun comes up in the west.

· Your boss tells you not to bother taking off your coat.

· You jump out of bed and you miss the floor.

· The bird singing outside your bedroom window is a vulture.

· You wake and your dentures are locked together.

· Your car’s horn gets stuck while you’re following a group of Hell’s Angels.

· You call to get your messages and are told it’s none of your business.

· Your tax return check bounces.

· You step on the scale and it says “tilt.”

· You call suicide prevention, and they put you on hold.

 Perhaps you have your own list as to when you know it is going to be a really bad day. Yet regardless, it is important to know that we should not be surprised when we experience obstacles in life. All who achieve worthwhile success in life will have to endure great trials; and these trials can make it challenging to keep a good attitude. To be more specific, there are five big attitude obstacles: discouragement, change, problems, fear, and failure. Each of these five are worth considering individually to better understand how you can make it through while maintaining the difference maker, a right attitude.

There are five keys that can help us to overcome discouragement. First, take you discouragement to the Lord. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all of our cares upon Him because He cares for us. A lady named Hannah in the Bible experienced a great amount of discouragement. Hannah had good reason to feel discouraged and bitter: She was unable to have children. She shared her husband with a woman who ridiculed her. Her loving husband could not solve her problem. Even the high priest misunderstood her motives. But instead of retaliating or giving up hope, Hannah prayed. She brought her problem honestly before God.

Each of us may face times of barrenness when nothing comes to life in our work, ministry, or relationships. It is difficult to pray in faith when we feel so ineffective. But, as Hannah discovered, prayer opens the way for God to work (portions from The Handbook of Application). Therefore, as the old hymn proclaims, we should never be discouraged as we take it to the Lord in prayer. Then we will recognize that we have a friend in Jesus who lifts us up out of the pit of despair.

God has the strength we need to face our challenges. When our resources are limited and insufficient, He is more than enough. Annie Johnson Flint wrote, “He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision, Our God ever yearns His resources to share; Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing; The Father both thee and thy load will up bear. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”  We must simply ask of Him in prayer.

The second key to overcoming discouragement is to consider the big picture. Often when trials go our way they can make us forget to step back and see things from a bigger perspective. The trials that we struggle with in the moment tend to seem so insignificant after a short amount of time. This reveals the struggle of making mountains out of mole hills. Yet when we take a step back, we are better able to understand our obstacles, and in so doing, we are better able to see ways of getting past those discouraging times.

Author Helen Rice wrote, “And together we stand at life’s crossroads and view what we think is the end, but God has a much bigger vision and He tells us it’s only a bend. For the road goes on and is smoother, and the pause in the song is a rest. And the part that’s unsung and unfinished is the sweetest and richest and best. So rest and relax and grow stronger. Let go and let God share your load, your work is not finished or ended, you’ve just come to a bend in the road.”

If you can maintain that perspective, you can overcome discouragement and move beyond it. No one need be held captive to it.

Third, if you want to overcome discouragement spend time with successful people. This can be done through personal interactions, listening to them on the radio, TV, internet, or through reading their books. It has been said that you are the person that you will be five years from now with exception of the books that you read and the people that you associate with. The more time that you spend with people who are a little further down the road of life in an area that you would like to be successful in, the more you will naturally be able to follow in their footsteps.

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about the value of associating with wise people and struggles associated with spending time with those who will not build you up. Proverbs 13:20 ^NCV says, “Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer.”  Proverbs 27:17 ^NLT says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” So surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher. Thus, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Pro. 12:26). 

 The fourth key to overcome discouragement is to speak life. The Bible says that the power of life and death are in the tongue (Pro. 18:21). If your best friend said the things you say to yourself, you would punch them in the face. The fact of the matter is that we tend to be our own worst critics.

Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones said, “Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself rather than talking to yourself” (Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure, p. 20). In other words, by speaking down to ourselves, we naturally drag ourselves down. Yet when we speak to ourselves and to others things that are meant to build us up and encourage us, we are better able to discover ways out of our despair. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

And lastly, the fifth key to overcome discouragement is to refuse to quit. One writer said, “Ninety percent of those who fail are not actually defeated. They simply quit.” Proverbs 24:16 ^GW says it like this, “A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again. However, in a disaster wicked people fall.” Additionally, the Bible encourages us to remain on the course God has for us and in the end we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up (Gal. 6:9).

Thus, no doubt, sometimes it can be very challenging to maintain a positive attitude, especially in the face of discouragement. Yet discouragement does not need to weigh us down, as you were made to soar above it!

 In His service,

Matt

(Portions from John Maxwell, The Difference Maker)

Elder’s Corner: Is This It?

 

I've heard that question asked several times in the last six months. It is usually followed by more questions.  Do you think this (the COVID pandemic) is God's punishment for an unrepentant society? Do you think this is the end? Is God using this disease to get people's attention?  The answer is…I don’t know. Let me share some scriptures for you to ponder: Deuteronomy 28:1 – 6 “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God: “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”

God gave this promise of blessings to the Israelites if they would obey Him.

In verse 15 and following of the same chapter we can find this promise “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.”

This and many other instances in the Bible indicate that our choices sometimes lead to calamity. I know that one entity is extremely happy that the pandemic has disrupted church functions (attendance is down, offerings are suffering, picnics have been canceled, brothers and sisters are fighting about wearing masks, where, or if services should be held). That person that is laughing and happy to cause such division is the devil.

So what should our response be? “Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too. After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you His eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever” (1 Peter 5:8-10 TLB).

—Alan

 

Attitude—The Difference Maker #7: Your Greatest Asset

 

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9 NLT).

Chuck Swindoll said, “Attitude is more important than education, money, circumstances, failures, success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, or home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.”

So how do you change your attitude to thereby transform your life for the better? There are five keys to do just that. First, you must take full responsibility for your attitude. While no doubt, one’s circumstances do have a bearing on life, the way we respond to it has even greater bearing on life. So as the old saying goes, if life hands you lemons, make lemonade out of it. Thus, choose to make the most out of life: win, lose, or draw.  As holocaust survivor Victor Frankl said in his book Man’s Search For Meaning: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

Second, if you want to transform your life for the better then you need to take time to evaluate your present attitude. Socrates wisely said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” If that is true for life in general you can be sure that it is true regarding one’s attitude.

John Maxwell explained this process well when he said, “The key is to try to look at yourself objectively, to separate yourself from your attitude. Your goal isn’t to condemn yourself. It’s to see yourself clearly so that you can make positive changes to the way you think.

When do you feel most negative about yourself? This question can be asked in general, and on a daily basis. Right in line with this is examining your feelings towards others. Many times our feelings come into play long before we become consciously aware of them intellectually.

After taking the time to consider your feelings, examine your thoughts.  The human mind has a tremendous amount of power in our lives. That which holds our attention determines our actions. Because of that, where we are today is the result of the dominating thoughts in our minds.

The Bible says that as a person thinks in their hearts so are they (Pro. 23:7). Thus, a person is the sum of their thoughts. This is why the Bible teaches that we need to focus our thoughts on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). Therefore, a key to changing your attitude is to change the things that you focus your time thinking about.

John Maxwell said, “Most of the great work in this world was done by men and women who didn’t believe that what they were doing was impossible. Talent is certainly beneficial, but only the right attitude can release it to reach its potential.”

Third, if you want to transform your life for the better then you need to desire to change. The desire to change is critical in every area of life. If the druggy or the alcoholic does not sincerely desire to change, they won’t. And that idea is true for every single one of us in the areas that we need to change. Fred Smith observed, “You are the way you are because that’s the way you want to be. If you really wanted to be any different, you would be in the process of changing right now.”  

Fourth, if you want to transform your life for the better then you need to take time to develop good habits. Much of what we do every day comes from the habits that we form. Over time these habits shape our lives, yet they began with a simple action that was repeated until it became second nature to us. Psychiatrist William Glasser said, “If you want to change attitudes, start with a change of behavior. In other words, begin to act the part, as well as you can, of the person you would rather be, the person you most want to become. Gradually, the old, fearful person will fade away.”

Lastly, if you want to transform your life for the better then you need to learn to manage your attitude daily. While it is vitally important to make good decisions throughout life, let’s face it, sometimes we don’t. Good, bad, or indifferent, that’s life. Yet the way that we respond to it can make a significant difference. Thus, we need to learn to be able to manage the poor choices and/or failures that we make. So we can make the decision to have a great attitude, however, if we don’t make plans to manage the decisions that we make on a daily basis, then we are likely to end up not where we are desiring.

Proverbs 24:16 says, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” Thus, learning to manage one’s attitude and the decisions we make is a process of getting up whenever we fall. This will require God’s help, and often times His help comes through others that He places in our lives.  Therefore, as a part of learning to manage your attitude on a daily basis, is the necessity for outside help - someone to help pick you up when you fail. And that is true of every area of life, including one’s attitude.

“If you take responsibility for your attitude—recognizing that it can change how you live, managing it every day, and cultivating and developing positive thoughts and habits—then you can make attitude your greatest asset. It can become the difference maker in your life, opening doors and helping you overcome great obstacles.” 

 In His service,

Matt

(Portions from John Maxwell, The Difference Maker)

Attitude—The Difference Maker #6: The Winner’s Edge

“But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden” (Gen. 39:21 NLT).

While attitude has its limitations, attitude is often the difference maker. It is often the difference between winning and losing in the various areas of our lives. Denis Waitley said, “The winner’s edge is not a gifted birth, a high IQ, or in talent. The winner’s edge is all in the attitude, not aptitude. Attitude is the criterion for success” (The Winner’s Edge).

There are three differences attitude does make that I would like to draw you attention to. First, your attitude makes a difference in your approach to life. The happiest people in life don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just try to make the best of everything.

If athletes have a poor attitude going into a game, odds are they are not going to do very well. Similarly, if a student has a poor attitude going into a test, their test scores are apt to show it. And if a person gets a serious medical condition

Second, your attitude makes a difference in your relationships. The simple fact of the matter is that a person’s negative attitude can have a way of dragging others down with them. Let’s face it, if a person constantly has a negative attitude, do you really enjoy being around that person for extended periods of time? Thus, a constant negative attitude has a way of pushing others away while a positive attitude can attract them.

And third, your attitude makes a difference in how you face challenges. Joseph was a man who experienced numerous hardships in life that were not his fault. As a prisoner and slave, Joseph could have seen his situation as hopeless. Instead, he did his best with each small task given him. His diligence and positive attitude were soon noticed by the jail warden, who promoted him to prison administrator.

Are you facing a seemingly hopeless predicament? At work, at home, or at school, follow Joseph’s example by taking each small task and doing your best. Remember how God turned Joseph’s situation around. He will see your efforts and can reverse even overwhelming odds (portions from the Handbook of Bible Application).  For attitude is the winner’s edge!

In His service,

Matt

Theology 201 #14: Dressed for Success Part 3: I Wouldn’t Be Caught Dead in that Dress! LOL!

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deut. 22:5).

Why do you choose to wear the clothing that you do? Is it because of comfort? Or is it because it is a popular style to wear? Or is it because you are trying to draw attention or lack thereof from others? And more importantly, do the things that you wear bring glory to God?

The topic of clothing from a Biblical perspective is somewhat complicated (thus, the reason for discussing it in this teaching section). A lot of the confusion has to do with understanding the times. Or put a different way, we need to understand the cultural implications of clothing in the Bible, look at the heart of why people in the Bible wore the things that they did, and then bring that understanding into our modern times to grasp how we can be dressed for success.  The core of this teaching is not hard to understand. For example, back then, pretty much everyone, guys included, wore what might look like a long dress or bathrobe! Even still they were able to differentiate between what was appropriate for men and women; and there are differences between the two. Yet why does Deuteronomy 22:5 teach that it is necessary for men and women to dress differently?

One writer notes the following. “Scholars on Deuteronomy 22:5 note that cross-dressing would have likely been associated with homosexuality or would have been considered associated with the practices of other religious groups.

Some conservative Christians have taken Deuteronomy 22:5 to mean a woman cannot wear pants or slacks. This would be a misapplication of this and other passages in the New Testament regarding modesty. The clear focus is God's emphasis that men and women do not seek to appear as the opposite gender and that to do so is considered shameful. In Western culture, pants are regularly worn by both genders. Further, the specific law in Deuteronomy 22:5 is part of the Mosaic Law fulfilled in Christ and therefore does not require the same direct application in this matter, though the principles behind it still apply. Christians are called to dress in appropriate ways” (https://www.compellingtruth.org/cross-dressing-transvestism.html).

Therefore, what principles should guide a Christian with the clothing that they wear? There are three Biblical principles that can help us in doing just that. The first principle is to have a surrendered heart to Jesus. This is really the key to understanding the handful of passages that require women wearing head coverings (1 Cor. 11:6-10).

William Barclay said, “The place of women in Greek religion was low. The Temple of Aphrodite in Corinth had a thousand priestesses who were sacred prostitutes and every evening plied their trade on the city streets. The Temple of Diana in Ephesus had its hundreds of priestesses called the Melissae, which means the bees, whose function was the same…”

Historians likewise tell us that these temple prostitutes would never wear a head covering. This was their means of advertising. So if you wanted to know who a prostitute was, just look for the women who didn’t wear any head covering. Furthermore, it was common for them to shave their heads.

1 Corinthians 11:5, explains the effects of a woman who came into church with her head shaved. It is sending the same signal and the same message. This woman was a prostitute. A head covering conveyed the idea that she was in subjection to her husband, and more importantly, that she was in subjection to Christ. For a woman in that culture to not have a head covering would have been a total declaration of rebellion. In affect she would be saying to the church and to the world, “I am not under the headship of my husband. And more importantly, I am not under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

For me personally, I have never thought to myself whenever I see a woman who is wearing a head covering, that there is a woman who is surrendered to Jesus Christ. Frankly, in our culture, head coverings do not convey that idea. On the other hand, I have seen some clothing that clearly points to the opposite! Whenever a person wears something that is promoting a business, or certain type of lifestyle that goes against what the Bible teaches, then in effect, that person is communicating to all that they have not surrendered to Christ! Thus, does my clothing illustrate my surrender to the Lord and my commitment to holiness (Rom. 12:1; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Tim. 2:10)?

The second principle that should guide a Christian with the clothing that they wear is to have a transformed thinking. 1 Peter 3:3-4 “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” It is not that there is anything necessarily wrong with elaborate hairstyles, gold jewelry or fine clothing. The issue is one’s thinking.  For many all they focus upon is the outward appearance. Yet the Lord wants us to focus on our inner person, the hidden person of the heart. So are you as focused upon your outward appearance as you are your inward? How would you know?

1 Peter 3 tells us that you would seek to display your beauty with a gentle and quiet spirit. Gentleness and a quiet or tranquil spirit do not come nature. They are a result of someone who has surrendered their life to Christ and are allowing the Lord to transform them through the renewing of their minds by the Word of God (Rom. 12:2). So we must distinguish between the world’s evaluation of charm and beauty and the true loveliness of inward character. Cultivating godliness should be our priority.

And the third principle that should guide a Christian with the clothing is modesty. Modesty relates to both men and women. Modesty is not anti-fashion; it’s pro-adornment in godly ways (1 Tim. 2:8). Believers should adorn themselves in a discrete and above reproach ways (Pro. 7:10). 

Cultural discretion is a key component. Just as Paul acknowledged what was communicated by the culture of his day and warned early Christians not to follow these fashion patterns of his time, we must be aware of the messages and values clothing might communicate in our own culture. For example, in many countries, for a woman to expose her chest is not considered to be sexual advertisement but rather food for her baby. On the other hand, in some of those very cultures, for a woman to expose her knees would be considered as sexual advertising!  Thus, it is a matter of understanding one’s culture.

“When it comes to clothing these verses leave a lot of questions up for debate. How do you know what it means to dress modestly in a specific sense? What is too revealing? What is flashy and what is disrespectfully underdressed? One way to determine whether your clothes are modest or not is by looking at your intentions in wearing them. Are you wearing that outfit to attract the attention of someone of the opposite sex? [Or, even if it is not your intention to draw the attention of people of the opposite sex, what will they think? Thus, just ask people of the opposite sex what they think of your clothing.

Here are some other questions to consider.] Will your outfit cause others to be uncomfortable? Do you want to stand out as more stylish, as richer, or as more holy than everyone else? If your outfit is primarily intended to gain attention or esteem from others, then it might be time to evaluate your heart and your wardrobe. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and follow the call of Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (https://www.compellingtruth.org/dress-modestly.html).

In His service,

Matt

Elder’s Corner: I Hate that Weed!

I was in the garden watering and tending to my tomato plants the other day. I noticed these long curly vines had wound themselves around some of the plants. I had already watered the tomatoes, so it was easy to pull the grass out that was growing around the plants. But when I tried to pull these vines out they just broke off under the dirt. I knew if I didn't get the roots out they would come right back. So I watered more and dug deep down. I finally found out why these weeds are a thorn in my side. There is a complex root system which is like an underground fence. When you pull one of the vines it breaks off and leaves the others attached.

I got to thinking about how important it is for each of us to have a network of friends to help when the world (Satan and his helpers) starts attacking us. 1 Peter 5:8-11 says “Be on the alert because your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen”

So remember, we are all in this together, to support and lift each other up until that day when He calls us home. Let's not let this Covid 19 outbreak cause us to isolate ourselves spiritually from the ones who can make us stronger (even if we are apart physically).  

—Alan

Theology 201 #14: Dressed for Success Part 2: Clothed with Christ

I don’t know about you, but I love listening to and watching movies/TV shows that are based on real life events and how people overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve their goals in life. One such film is “The Pursuit of Happiness.” In that film, actor Will Smith plays the role of Chris Gardner. Chris Gardner was a single father who lost his life’s savings in an investment. However, he learns about an opportunity to work for Dean Witter. The opportunity was really for a 6 month unpaid internship whereby Chris would have to compete against 19 other individuals in order to get a job there. If Chris was successful in getting the job, it would radically change his financial situation for the better!

When he went to the interview for the internship, he had just been released from jail on account of unpaid parking tickets and had not had an opportunity to get dressed appropriately given the circumstances of his arrest and jail time. Those in the interview were taken back by his poor appearance. So they asked him, “What would you say if someone came in here looking for a job and they didn’t have on a dress shirt?” To which Chris replied, “He must have had on a great set of pants!” :)

Needless to say, Chris did get the job, and eventually went on to form his own multi-million dollar brokerage firm. Thus, Chris’s situation was radically transformed in spite of his poor appearance early on. This is very similar to us as Christians.

The Bible teaches that prior to becoming a Christian, we were dressed in the shameful nakedness of our sinful state (Rev. 3:17). However, when a person becomes a Christian, they are baptized into Christ and thus are clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27). Translation, our filthy sinfulness has been washed away and we are now clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Isaiah 61:10 says it like this. “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns His head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

On the other hand, being dressed for success as a Christian is more than just accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Romans 13:14 says, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” In this we see an aspect that we need to do in being dressed for success spiritually. We are to make no provision for our sinful desires. This would including avoiding wild parties, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity and immorality, quarreling and jealousy (Rom. 13:13). This is a picture of living a pure and holy life. As we know in our culture, white is a symbol of purity as seen in a bride who wears white as a sign to her groom that she has remained pure for him. Jesus, speaking of those who are a part of the bride of Christ, aka, His faithful followers, says this: “The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels” (Rev. 3:5).

Additionally, Colossians 3:9-17 speaks of it as putting on the new self. This putting on the new self includes clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Let’s briefly consider each of those things that are to be a part of our spiritual clothing for success. Clothing ourselves with compassion: this is a genuine sensitivity and heartfelt sympathy for the needs of others. It is an attribute of God, who is described as compassionate and who acted so on our behalf.

Second we are told to clothe ourselves with kindness. Kindness is acting charitably, and benevolently toward others, as God has done toward us. God’s kindness is a continual theme in the Psalms and Prophets. Kindness takes the initiative in responding generously to others’ needs. Because believers have received kindness, we ought to act that way toward others. This does not come naturally; it is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23).

Third, we are commanded to clothe ourselves with humility. Humility is an attitude of one’s self-esteem that is neither puffed up with pride, nor self-depreciating. It is a true understanding of one’s position with God. As Christ humbled Himself (Phil.2:6–11), so believers ought to humble themselves in service to the Lord and Savior.

Fourth, we are commanded to clothe ourselves with gentleness. Gentleness is not to be confused with weakness; instead, it means consideration for others and a willingness to give up one’s rights for the sake of another. Again, Christ is our example.

Fifth, we are commanded to clothe ourselves with patience. For most people patience does not come easy, yet it is evidence that a person has truly been born again (see Eph. 5:22-23). The patient person might have the right to retaliate, but chooses patience instead (portions from Life Application Bible Commentary, p. 215-216).

Jon Courson said, “To put on Christ means to continually ask, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” And as you choose to put Him on, you will ultimately find yourself becoming the role and the role becoming you. Being grouchy or brusque, impatient or unforgiving because “that’s just the way I am” is then no longer an option because God didn’t save us to keep us the way we are. He saved us to change us into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29)” (Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, p. 1323). Therefore, I want to encourage you to consider how you are dressed spiritually Are you dressed for success? May that be the case with you, as you seek to live for Him.

In His service,

Matt