Change Your Attitude, Words, Behavior
So, Let’s Get Real
There are those who claim to be standing for truth. Claim to be standing against evil. Claim to be concerned for their family, their city, their community, their church, their state, their nation. The truth is maybe this is true. But their attitudes, words, behavior reflects something different. Their character is lacking. Their character gets in the way of their message. This is especially the case of those who call themselves Christians but they manifest the characteristics of the evil one.
Listen, if you are going to claim to be a Christian and claim to be standing for what is right, your attitude, words, and behavior need to reflect the traits of Jesus Christ. Even if you do not claim to be a Christian but claim to be standing for what is right, your message is not going to be heard by most or bring positive change if you are manifesting ungodly behavior.
Attitude
If the only thing that comes out your mouth is how bad everyone else is and that you are never wrong, you ultimately will get written off over time. If the only thing that comes out your mouth is that those who disagree with you are the evil ones and you are the righteous one, you are not going to be heard.
If you never acknowledge, admit, or confess that you have been wrong on something, your going to not be heard or taken seriously. We ALL fall short, not just those who we see as enemies.
Words
What words come out of your mouth? Are they condemning? Are they poisonous? Are they mocking? Are they filled with accusations, innuendos, inferences, nothing good to say about someone? Are your words filled with assumptions? Are your words the repeat of gossip and rumors? If so, you are not doing the work of speaking truth and righteousness. You are doing the work of Satan. If you are going to speak truth, attack the message instead of the messenger. Address the words, actions, behavior, polices of a person more than on the person themselves.
Behavior
If you are claiming to stand on truth and what is righteous then your behavior should manifest godly character. Reminder, insinuating, inferring, gossiping, attacking, condemning, labeling, name calling, mocking, being spiteful, retaliating, etc is not godly character, it is the character of the devil. It is hypocrisy.
Unholy Alliances
If you are going to claim to be standing for truth and what is righteous, you better not have unholy alliances with others. Who you associate with matters. Corrupt company breeds corrupt behavior. Having secret meetings, hidden agendas, does nothing but create suspicion.
What the Bible Says
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Honestly nowadays we see little building up and much more of corrupting talk.
Proverbs 26:20
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
I love this proberb, it is right on. When rumors are no longer whispered, they stop. When criticizing, condemning, attacking, hating, insinuating, mocking is silenced quarreling ceases.
Proverbs 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Are your words bringing healing to a community or nothing but spitefulness, division, envy, and hatred?
James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
If you claim to be a Christ Follower but are not able to control the words you speak and how you speak, the Scripture says you are deceived in your heart and given goes further. Your religious acts are worthless. OUCH!
Matthew 12:36-37
"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
You may get away with your words and actions here on earth but you will face the judge of all mankind when you die. Best to take of your tongue and actions while still alive.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are broken human beings. We fall short of your glory. We need your Holy Spirit to refine us, to purify our hearts, our attitudes, our words, and our actions.
Lord God Almighty we need a transformation in our cities. What we really need is a move of God in our homes, churches, communities, and our nation. We need a spirit of repentance to come upon our Land. It starts with us. So Lord, help us to be aware of unhealthy attitudes and to keep watch on the words we speak and the actions we manifest. When we fall short may we be quick to repent. If we have manifested ungodly character in a public setting, may we repent publicly. In Jesus Name.
Podcast
Transcript
Richard Dover (PreacherRichD) is the founder of Creating Futures. Richard has been involved in ministry for over for over 43 years. Some of the areas of ministry he has been involved in is addiction and sober housing ministry, community development, evangelism, jail & prison ministry, pastoral counseling, police chaplaincy, Radio & TV ministry, street ministry, youth ministry. Richard was a youth leader, an outreach pastor and senior pastor. He was also an Executive Director of a faith-based sober housing program.