In psychology, an attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors

toward a particular object, person, thing, or event. Attitudes are often the
result of experience or upbringing, and they can have a powerful influence over
behavior. While attitudes are enduring, they can also change.

Overview
What's your opinion on the death penalty? Which political party does a better
job of running the country? Should prayer be allowed in schools? Should
violence on television be regulated?
Chances are that you probably have fairly strong opinions on these and similar
questions. You've developed attitudes about such issues, and these attitudes
influence your beliefs as well as your behavior. Attitudes are an important topic
of study within the field of social psychology. But what exactly is an attitude?
How does it develop?
How Psychologists Define Attitudes
Psychologists define attitudes as a learned tendency to evaluate things in a
certain way. This can include evaluations of people, issues, objects, or events.
Such evaluations are often positive or negative, but they can also be uncertain
at times. For example, you might have mixed feelings about a particular person
or issue.
Researchers also suggest that there are several different components that
make up attitudes.
The components of attitudes are sometimes referred to as CAB or the ABC's of

attitude.

. Cognitive Component: your thoughts and beliefs about the subject.

. Affective Component: how the object, person, issue, or event makes you
feel.
. Behavioral Component: how the attitude influences your behavior.
Attitudes can also be explicit and implicit. Explicit attitudes are those that we
are consciously aware of and that clearly influence our behaviors and beliefs.
Implicit attitudes are unconscious but still have an effect on our beliefs and
behaviors.

Attitude Formation
There are a number of factors that can influence how and why attitudes form.
Experience
Attitudes form directly as a result of experience. They may emerge due to direct
personal experience, or they may result from observation.
Social Factors
Social roles and social norms can have a strong influence on attitudes. Social
roles relate to how people are expected to behave in a particular role or context.
Social norms involve society's rules for what behaviors are considered
appropriate.
Learning
Attitudes can be learned in a variety of ways. Consider how advertisers use
classical conditioning to influence your attitude toward a particular product. In
a television commercial, you see young, beautiful people having fun on a
tropical beach while enjoying a sports drink. This attractive and appealing
imagery causes you to develop a positive association with this particular
beverage.
Operant conditioning can also be used to influence how attitudes develop.
Imagine a young man who has just started smoking. Whenever he lights up a
cigarette, people complain, chastise him, and ask him to leave their vicinity.
This negative feedback from those around him eventually causes him to
develop an unfavorable opinion of smoking and he decides to give up the habit.
Finally, people also learn attitudes by observing the people around them. When
someone you admire greatly espouses a particular attitude, you are more likely
to develop the same beliefs. For example, children spend a great deal of time
observing the attitudes of their parents and usually begin to demonstrate
similar outlooks.

Attitudes and Behavior

We tend to assume that people behave according to their attitudes. However,
social psychologists have found that attitudes and actual behavior are not
always perfectly aligned. After all, plenty of people support a particular
candidate or political party and yet fail to go out and vote.
Factors that Influence Attitude Strength
Researchers have discovered that people are more likely to behave according to
their attitudes under certain conditions:

. When your attitudes are the result of personal experience.

. When you are an expert on the subject.
. When you expect a favorable outcome.
. When the attitudes are repeatedly expressed.
 . When you stand to win or lose something due to the issue.

Attitudes Can Change to Match Behavior

In some cases, people may actually alter their attitudes in order to better align
them with their behavior. Cognitive dissonance is a phenomenon in which a
person experiences psychological distress due to conflicting thoughts or
beliefs. In order to reduce this tension, people may change their attitudes to
reflect their other beliefs or actual behaviors.
What Is Cognitive Dissonance?
An Example of Changing an Attitude Due to Cognitive Dissonance
Imagine the following situation: You've always placed a high value on financial
security, but you start dating someone who is very financially unstable. In
order to reduce the tension caused by the conflicting beliefs and behavior, you
have two options.
You can end the relationship and seek out a partner who is more financially
secure, or you can de-emphasize fiscal stability importance. In order to
minimize the dissonance between your conflicting attitude and behavior, you
either have to change the attitude or change your actions.

Attitude Change
While attitudes can have a powerful effect on behavior, they are not set in
stone. The same influences that lead to attitude formation can also create
attitude change.

. Learning Theory of Attitude Change: Classical conditioning, operant

conditioning, and observational learning can be used to bring about
attitude change. Classical conditioning can be used to create positive
emotional reactions to an object, person, or event by associating
positive feelings with the target object. Operant conditioning can be
used to strengthen desirable attitudes and weaken undesirable ones.
People can also change their attitudes after observing the behavior of
others.
. Elaboration Likelihood Theory of Attitude Change: This theory of
persuasion suggests that people can alter their attitudes in two ways.
First, they can be motivated to listen and think about the message,
thus leading to an attitude shift. Or, they might be influenced by
characteristics of the speaker, leading to a temporary or surface shift
in attitude. Messages that are thought-provoking and that appeal to
logic are more likely to lead to permanent changes in attitudes.
 . Dissonance Theory of Attitude Change: As mentioned earlier, people
can also change their attitudes when they have conflicting beliefs
about a topic. In order to reduce the tension created by these
incompatible beliefs, people often shift their attitudes.

Positive Attitude

Individuals who have a positive attitude will pay attention to the good,
rather than bad in people, situations, events, etc. They will not consider a
mistake or failure as a hurdle, but as an opportunity. They learn from
mistakes, and move forward in life.

~ Confidence
~ Optimism
~ Cheerfulness/Happiness
~ Sincerity
~ Sense of responsibility
~ Flexibility
~ Determination
~ Reliability
~ Tolerance
~ Willingness to adapt
~ Humility
~ Diligence
Negative Attitude

People with a negative attitude ignore the good, and pay attention to the
bad in people, situations, events, etc. Also, they are likely to complain
about changes, rather than adapting to the changing environment. Also,
they might blame their failure on others.

~ Anger
~ Hatred
~ Pessimism
~ Frustration
~ Doubt
~ Resentment
~ Jealousy
~ Inferiority
Neutral Attitude
People with a neutral attitude don't give enough importance to situations
or events. They ignore the problem, leaving it for someone else to solve.
Also, they don't feel the need to change. Their traits include:

~ Complacence
~ Indifference
~ Detachment
~ Feeling of being disconnected
~ Unemotional
A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE
"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it (the heart) are found the
issues of life. For as a man thinketh in his heart so is he." Proverbs 4:23,
Proverbs 23:7
If we be a faithful Christian, we can not have a negative attitude. I am
Charles Burke. Let me reveal a negative attitude so that we can learn
more about the Divine Blessings of New Testament Christianity.

THE CAUSES OF A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE

I. Doubt will cause us to have a negative attitude. Doubt seems to
engender doubt. If we begin to doubt the promises of God, we will
become a doubled minded person. "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask
of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let
not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double
minded man is unstable in all of ways." James 1:5-8
II. Fear will engender us to have a negative attitude. Fear seems to
enhance fear. If we are fearful of failure, we will become an unfaithful
servant of the Lord. "Then he (the one talented man) which had received
the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard
man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast
not strawed; And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo,
there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou
wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not,
and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have
put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have
received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and
give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall
be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall
be taken away that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant
into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Matthew 25:24-30
III. Unbelief will enhance us to possess a negative attitude. Unbelief
seems to engender unbelief. If we become an unbelieving person, we will
depart from the living God. "Wherefore as the Holy Spirit said, Today if ye
will hear his voice. Harden not you hearts, as in the provocation, in the
day of temptation in the wilderness: When your father tempted me,
proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with
that generation, and said, They do alway err in their hearts; and they have
not know my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my
rest. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily,
which it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:7-13

THE CURE FOR A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE

I. Believing the promises of God is the prescription for a negative attitude.
If we believe the promises of God, we will walk humbly with the Lord our
God. "For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean things; and I will receive you, And will
be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the
Lord Almighty. Therefore having these promises, dearly beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 6:16 through 2 Corinthians 7:1
II. Trusting in the Living God is the treatment for a negative attitude. If we
trust in the Lord our God, we will follow His directions. "Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
III. Relying upon the powers of God is the antidote for a negative attitude.
If we rely upon the powers, we will be a faithful servant of the most high
God. "Now unto him (God) who is able to keep you from falling, and to
present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and
power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude 24-25
IV. Developing an obedient faith is the remedy for a negative attitude. If
we develop an obedient faith, we will obey the commandments of God.
"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5:8-9

THE RESULTS OF A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE

"Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart;
and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These
are the things which defile a man". Matthew 15:18-20
I. A negative attitude can produce evil thoughts. If we constantly have evil
thoughts, we will commit evil deeds. "Be not deceived; evil
communication corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin
not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."
1 Corinthians 15:33-34
II. A negative attitude can cause murders. If we dislike our brother long
enough, we will at least try to murder his reputation. "Whosoever hateth
his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life
abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down
his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 1 John
3:15-16
III. A negative attitude can engender adultery. If we should lust for a
strange woman, we would at least be committing adultery with her in our
heart. "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin;
beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous
practices; cursed children." 2 Peter 2:14
IV. A negative attitude can bring about fornication. If we should long for
another woman long enough, we would be trying to commit fornication
with her. "For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord
Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to
possess his vessel in sanctification and honour." 1 Thessalonians 4:2-4
V. A negative attitude can perform thefts. If we covet that which our
neighbour has long enough, we would try to seal it from him. "Let him
that stole steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his hands
the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."
Ephesians 4:28
VI. A negative attitude can create false witness. Why would one person
desire that another person testify to that which is false for him? If a
person does that which is wrong and is about to be punished for it, he
would want another person to testify falsely for him. "These six things
doth the Lord hat: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look,
a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. An heart that
deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift running to mischief. A
False witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among
brethren." Proverbs 6:16-18
VII. A negative attitude can produce blasphemies (evil speaking). Why
does a person speak evil words? A person speaks evil words because his
own works are evil. "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam prophesied
of these, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly
among them of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly
committed, and of all their hard speech which ungodly sinner have
spoken against him." Jude 14-15

THE CONCLUSION
I. We should not have a negative attitude because we can develop a
positive attitude.
II. Let us keep our heart with all diligence because of it are found the
issues of life.

Check Your Attitude

By Dale A. Robbins
 According to the Merriam Webster
dictionary, the word "attitude" means "an internal position or feeling with
regard to something else." Other words often used as synonyms are:
"disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective,
frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale."
Airplane pilots often use "attitude" to describe their horizontal relationship with
the runway then they land. If their attitude isn’t aligned properly, the plane will
make contact with the ground at the wrong angle and it will cause them to
crash.
In essence, your attitude is your inward disposition toward other things, such
as people or circumstances. As in with an airplane, attitude is applied whenever
you must deal with something other than yourself. According to God’s word,
when you become a Christian, a part of your new creation is the development of
new attitudes — your attitude should become like that of Jesus. The Bible says,
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:5).
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude
of your minds." (Ephesians 4:22 NIV)
Bad Attitudes

Most of us can easily identify bad attitudes when they are displayed outwardly
in our words or actions, such a negativeness, criticalness, rebellion, defiance,
impatience, uncooperative, apathy, discouragement, independence,
presumption, arrogance, self-centeredness, rudeness and such like. These are
examples of bad attitudes which Christians should reject. However, keep in
mind, attitudes are inner dispositions of the heart and thoughts — they are the
hidden intentions which will eventually serve as the basis for our actions. "For
as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Prov. 23:7). In reality, no one else really
knows the thoughts of your heart, except you and God. Consequently, attitude
is something that only you and God can work out — a change which must take
place inwardly.
An example of a bad attitude is seen in George Brown. He went to church
cheerfully as long as his business continued to prosper — as long as
everything went well for him. He sang joyfully in the choir, he rarely missed a
service. But when hard times set in George began to drop away. He became
resentful toward God, even critical of other Christians.
The right attitude to have when difficulty comes is to persevere in faith and
draw nearer to God — to fall at the feet of Jesus. The Bible makes it clear that
God works all things together for our good when we love Him, and the testing of
our faith is for our benefit. Trouble will never defeat the person with a right
attitude.
Another bad attitude can be seen in Sally Smith. She had been a Christian for
nearly two years. She loved the lord and was growing as a Christian, but was
still battling sins of the flesh — and occasionally fell back into the temptation of
drunkenness. One evening the pastor and his family were entering a restaurant,
when he noticed Sally slouching at the distant bar, obviously intoxicated. The
next Sunday after service, the pastor and his wife took Sally aside privately, and
warned her gently about the sins of drunkenness.
The pastor read scripture from Galations chapter 5. "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" (Galatians 5:19-21).
The pastor encouraged Sally to repent of this activity and prayed with her, but
she was deeply offended by the pastor’s forthrightness. She immediately
changed churches and afterward would often be heard "bad-mouthing" that
church and pastor.
The better attitude would have been for this woman to be humble and
submissive toward the pastor’s loving correction of sin, which was based upon
God’s Word (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, always have a
problem with God.
Good Attitudes
According to scripture, your attitude toward life, your circumstances, or toward
other people should always be like the Lord’s — as is defined by scripture.
Good attitudes are generally demonstrated in being positive, encouraging,
loving, humble, teachable, cooperative, considerate, selfless, loyal, persevering
and so forth (Gal. 5:22-23).
To God — Our attitude should be reverence, submission, love, trust,
humbleness, obedience, worshipful, and prayerful. (Psa. 111:10, Mark 12:30,
John 14:15, Jas. 4:7, 1 Sam. 15:23)
To God’s Children — Our attitude should be love, forgiveness, consideration,
caring, encouragement, kindness, humility, unselfishness, respectful, and
impartial. (John 13:34-35, 15:12, Rom. 12:10, 13:10, 15:7, Jas. 2:9, Eph. 4:2, 4:32,
Col. 3:16, 1 Thes. 5:11, Heb. 3:13, 1 Cor. 13:4-8).
To Authority — Our attitude should be respectful, cooperative, accountable,
humble, helpful, encouraging, loyal. Not resentful, defiant or disrespectful.
(Heb. 13:17, 1 Pet. 2:13-15)
To Hard Circumstances — Our attitude should be patience, thankfulness,
persevering, believing. (Rom. 8:28, Gal. 1:9)
To Our Church — Our attitude should be respectful, faithful, cooperative,
helpful, willingness, dependable, participating, encouraging. (1 Cor. 10:32, 1
Cor. 14:12, Heb. 2:12)
To Duty — Our attitude should be faithfulness, responsibleness, obedience,
cooperation, endurance. (Luke 16:10, 1 Cor. 4:2)
To Unfairness — Our attitude should be patience, humility, confident in God’s
justice. (Rom. 12:19, Luke 18:7)
To Disappointment or Tragedy — Our attitude should be humility, submission
to God, prayerful, confidence in God’s fairness. (Psa. 62:5, Jer. 17:5, Deut. 32:4,
Job 13:15, Rom. 8:28)
To the Lost — Our attitude should be compassionate, forgiving, encouraging,
helpful, reconciling them to God. (2 Cor. 5:18, 2 Pet. 3:9, Matt. 18:11-14)
To Sin — Our attitude should be uncompromising, unaccepting, intolerant,
unsympathetic, yet compassionate and reconciliatory for the repentant. (Matt.
18:8-9, Gal. 6:1)
To Success — Our attitude should be humble, grateful, God-glorifying, not self-
exalting or forgetful to God. (Jas. 4:6, 10, Prov. 16:18)
To Misunderstanding — Our attitude should be peacemaking, reconciliatory,
patient, forgiving. (Col. 3:13, Matt. 5:9, Phil. 2:14)
How To Develop GoodAttitudes
1. Identify and Repent of Bad Attitudes
Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps
the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."
2. Submit Your Attitudes to God
Bring your attitudes into obedience to God’s Word. Apply discipline to your
thought life — submit your thoughts to those of Christ’s. A good attitude is a
matter of faith, disregarding your feelings, with a determination to embrace
God’s outlook and disposition.
2 Corinthians 10:5 "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ..."
3. Equip And Feed Your Attitudes
Dwell on the things that God’s word tells us to — those good and virtuous
things. If you dwell on the negative, your attitude will reflect the same.
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is
anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."

The Overcoming Christian Life

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

The Christian life is an overcoming life. Even though we will definitely have problems and
personal struggles in this life, we will be able to overcome because of Jesus. Because of Him, we
have victory over the world, including sinful habits, bitterness, loneliness, guilt, fear, and
discouragement.Dear reader, God wants you to live an overcoming life! Please read the
followinglesson with faith, not in yourself, but in God.

Lesson 7 – Overcoming a critical attitude

Matthew 5:7

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

James 2:13

“Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

Introduction

In Matthew 5:7, Jesus blesses those who overlook faults, forgive failures, and show mercy to
those who have fallen. This type of people can see the good in every situation, even when that
situation has hurt them personally. They see the glass as half full instead of half empty. The
Bible says Christians ought to be these type of positive and encouraging people—not because we
are unrealistic or blind to the facts, but because we believe in a god who can turn around bad
situations and forgive the most heinous betrayal.

What is a critical attitude?

Some people always see things in a negative light. In every situation, they will have some
complaint or find some fault. They lack mercy in their judgments of themselves and others.
Definitely, it is helpful to carefully consider ourselves and situations. But if we fall into deep
negativity, we will eventually harm ourselves and those around us. What are the dangers of a
critical attitude?
 A critical attitude tears down but doesn’t build up

If we have a critical attitude, we are playing judge, jury, and executioner all at once. This type of
criticism is not constructive, but destructive. In 2 Corinthians 13:10, Paul said that God gave him
authority for the purpose of building people up, not tearing

them down. Even though Paul was passing judgment on the Corinthians in the letter by pointing
out their wrong attitudes, he was

warning

them and not

condemning

them. He used his authority to pass judgment on them (judge), with the hope they would decide
his judgment true and repent (jury), and he would not have to exercise his authority to discipline
(execute). If Paul, an apostle who wrote 13 books of the Bible and pioneeredChristianity
throughout the Roman empire, was so careful to use his criticism to build people up, how much
more careful should we be!

A critical attitude steals our joy and poisons our relationships

A critical attitude is like a disease. Some people know they have a critical attitude but can’t
change. We may find some small satisfaction in passing judgment on this or that, but that
satisfaction is short-lived. A more lasting satisfaction comes from recognizing improvement and
celebrating success. People want to be around positive people, not critical people.

A critical attitude makes us resemble Satan

Satan is famously critical. He has the worst attitude in the universe and wants us to share in his
misery. He always is able to see the downside of every situation, plan, or action. Satan used to be
a powerful angel in heaven, and many Christians believe he was thrown down out of heaven
because he found fault with God and rebelled. If we have an acritical attitude, we resemble Satan
more than we resemble God.

What causes a critical attitude?

 We develop a critical attitude; it doesn’t all come at once. Several factors contribute to our
forming a critical attitude:

Past experiences.

If our parents emphasized guilt and punishment, we may use harsh standards to judge ourselves
and others. This type of past experience makes it hard for us to compliment others.

Physical tiredness.

If we are too tired or are sick, we may become easily annoyed and judgmental.

Negative company.

Who we hang around with often shapes our outlook and the way we talk. If we are always
around negative people who enjoy criticizing others, we are likely to pick up on that.

The desire for justice.

Some people may criticize and judge because they have a strong sense of right and wrong. Even
if they do not say things out loud, they may pass judgment in their mind.

Pride.

At the root of our critical attitude is pride. We put others down because it feeds our pride.
Sometimes, our pride is without shame. It will cause us to to criticize those who in nearly all
respects are better people than ourselves. We enjoy pointing out their weaknesses and failures.

How to overcome our sinful habits

1. See people as God does

Our perspective on ourselves, other people, and situations in life should change once we become
Christian. When we recognize that God is sovereign and loves people unconditionally, it will
have a dramatic effect on how we look at the world. For every difficult person or situation, we
will be able to see how God can work a miracle to change that person.Take a moment to consider
some difficult person that you have criticized in the past. Can you see the possibility of God
changing that person? If you can, then why not pray that way?! Our God changed Saul, the
persecutor of the church, into Paul, the apostle whose heart was wholly for Jesus. Nothing is
impossible for Him.

Luke 18:27

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

2. See situations as God does

If God is sovereign, omniscient, and loving, then logically we should also expect that God will
work out everything for the good of His people. We have no reason to be negative because God
is in control. Even if we suffer some difficult situation or learn some painful lesson, God must
have a good purpose in it.

James 1:2-4

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because of you know
that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that
you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We are in a spiritual war, where we are battling to save souls from a ruthless enemy. In this war
against sin and Satan, we will face opposition and trouble. We should remember that even Jesus
paid a high price in this war—and we are not exempt from the fight. However, we have hope
because we know God will win. In the end, no sacrifice or suffering we face for the sake of Jesus
and the gospel will be in vain.

Matthew 5:11-12

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against
you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for, in the same
way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

3. Humble ourselves before God

A powerful antidote to a critical attitude is humility before God. When we recognize our own sin
and humble ourselves before God, it is very difficult to have an acritical attitude toward others.In
Galatians 6, Paul is telling the very fractious Galatian church how to live according to the Holy
Spirit. The Galatians were caught up in proving their holiness byoutward actions, and as a result,
became prideful and judgmental of one another. InGalatians 6:3-5, Paul says that everyone
should examine themselves as to whether theylive up to God’s standards, not how they compare
to someone else.

Galatians 6:3-5

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test
his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
for each one should carry his own load.

We need to realize that we entirely dependent on the grace of God in our lives. If anyone else
fails at any point, we should realize that we are no better than they are. JohnBradford, a 16

th

century reformer that was imprisoned and eventually martyred byEnglish church authorities, saw
a group of prisoners being led to their execution for their crimes. Realizing that he was no better
than those criminals in terms of sin, he said,“There, but for the grace of God, goes John
Bradford.” We need to have the samehumility before God when considering the sins of others.

4. Let God judge

Throughout the New Testament, there are warnings not to judge others. We needto let God
judge. People are born with a sense of right and wrong, but our justice isimperfect. Moreover, we
are sinners in need of forgiveness ourselves—we have no rightto receive God’s grace in our own
lives when we do not extend that grace to others.

Matthew 7:1-3

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be
judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck
of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your owneye?”

James 4 says that when we judge our brother or sister, we put ourselves above thelaw of God. In
effect, we are saying that God is not doing His job and that we need tostep in and deliver our
own judgment. Our job is to obey God—we should leave the judging to Him.

James 4:11-12

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judgeshim
speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,but sitting
in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is ableto save and destroy.
But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
 Conclusion

When we become a Christian, our outlook on life should change. We should trustGod to take
care of injustice, consider ourselves with humility, and anticipate God willcause good things to
come from difficult situations. Moreover, we understand that acritical attitude is dangerous
spiritually because it harms others, poisons our relationships,and prevents us from receiving
God’s forgiveness for our own sin.

Discussion Questions

1.Why do you think that people sometimes have a critical attitude?

2.After reading this lesson, how will you change in terms of judging yourself or others?
3.Describe how God has been merciful and gracious in your life?4.Talk about one person that is
merciful, kind, and gracious.