There are very valid reasons why we keep on saying that God is a Spirit. Man often looks on the outward appearance, judging and assessing things, situations and circumstances according to what can be seen or observed. But God looks on the heart, meaning that our innermost thoughts, feelings, and dispositions are brought into the equation when determinations are to be made for selecting individuals to fulfill His will.
Even when assessing the value, and worth of one’s decisions and good deeds, the spirit that motivates the person is of much more importance than is the very deed itself. Intention must be followed up by concrete actions, but a willingness to do God’s will is the very first step in acceptable obedience. One can actually do right things and be rejected of God if the heart and mind really isn’t in the matter.
A woman and her three young children are driving through a school speed zone at 15 m.p.h. which is the limit here in the sunshine state. She knows and understands the dangers that speeding in a school zone can bring, and she willingly obeys the rules of the road. It’s an intelligent, and willing decision that is thus made by her.
An executive on his way to work is also driving at 15 mph but he is running late, and he is frustrated and furious because he must stay within the speed limit, yet, he also obeys the rules of the road. As far as God is concerned, the executive is actually driving over the speed limit, because the spirit that drives his actions is toxic. His attitude is not right, for if he had his way he would be stepping on the gas.
Lip service, without the right attitude, constitutes a form of flattery, and that’s why we are encouraged to serve God in spirit first, and then in truth. Again, in the final judgement, when assessments are to be determined, the spirit, attitude, and thoughts which drove our decisions and actions will have very much to do with our eternal destiny. Let’s read:
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Ecclesiastes 12: 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, fear God, and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
There are times when obstacles present themselves to certain individuals, and their natural outlook may be one of foreboding. All the negatives that can and may occur are stockpiled and dwelt upon until what was actually a mole hill becomes a mountain. But at times, others may be presented with the very same problems, but instead of seeing obstacles, they see only opportunity.
Our general attitudes in life have very much more to do with our success or failure, than the adverse or favorable situations we may find ourselves in. In fighting life’s battles, there are those who would, by their attitude, turn troubles into blessings, but with others, blessings are turned into troubles no matter how favorable the circumstances may be. Thus, in most instances, attitude is the determining factor.
Joseph turned his troubles into great blessings by not dwelling on the wrongs that were done to him without cause. He could have succumbed to the why me syndrome, or he could have sunk down into a deep depression, knowing that he was only trying to do what is right, when wrongs came knocking at his door. Attitude made all the difference.
David saw an opportunity to defeat Goliath, where Saul and the other men of Israel cowered in fear. It was Goliath’s sheer size, and arrogance that caused them to be intimidated but it was the same size and arrogance that motivated David to challenge him. It was the same adverse situation, and obstacle which faced them, but Saul saw failure, while David only saw opportunity. Attitude makes all the difference.
God could use David to do great things, because he had a childlike faith and trust in Him. Not only could David be used to take down Goliath, but bears and lions also trembled in their boots, because the same fearless, trusting attitude was manifested on many different occasions. Even though he faltered a few times, yet his general attitude, and outlook on life made a huge difference.
There are those with talents and gifts, which are left dormant for their entire lives, while there are those who have very little, who by their attitude alone will turn anything to gold. Some will obey God, when it is convenient to do so and only when every obstacle has been removed. Others need little convincing, to act upon His word. Attitude makes the difference.
After Jesus ascended to heaven, Thomas’ name is mentioned only once, in the book of Acts, and we do not read of any significant instances of faith in action because he cultivated an attitude of unbelief. In contrast, Peter who in faith and obedience had walked upon water, is mentioned 63 times in Acts and beyond. Attitude makes the difference!
Question: What caused the difference? The answer is attitude, because Thomas stubbornly refused to believe when his fellow brethren told him that they had seen The Lord. These were not false prophets, for Thomas to think that they were lying, but were his fellow-disciples who had hung out with Jesus on so many different occasions.
And therefore, he had no valid reason to believe that they will concoct such a far-fetched conspiracy theory, as to say Jesus was raised, and even if he did not believe their report, at least he knew by his own experiences with Christ, that such an event could take place, because Jesus had raised more than one person to life while he was with them. But, for all of this, Thomas still would not believe.
As was stated before God is a Spirit and our attitude often makes all the difference; thus, when the time came for Jesus to visit His disciples, it would be very interesting to hear what He has to say, and whom He will address first. As we read, we will understand why our attitudes are of great importance to God.
John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Some people need a whole lot of explanations and evidences before they believe, while others harbor a childlike faith which is ready and prompt to act as soon as God would speak. Some people accomplish much because they attempt much, while others will accomplish little because they attempt little. It’s our attitude makes the difference!
The huge differences that our attitudes make was demonstrated in the healing of the blind man who had received his sight from Jesus, even before he knew who Jesus was. Even though Christ initiated the healing process, it was his attitude and speedy obedience that contributed to a large extent, to his healing.
As we read the narrative in this first example, we’ll observe his attitude, for this is what makes a huge difference in whether God will do great things for us or whether we will live average lives. God grants us opportunity, but success depends on what we make of it. Attitude makes the difference!
While many valid, and reasonable questions could have been asked, the man bypasses all man-made reasoning, and obeys, and the rest is history. As a matter of fact, the very simplicity of the situation is a stumbling block to some, while it is a blessing to others. Let’s read:
John 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
In very many instances in life, it’s not the situation that needs to be changed, it’s the attitude. Success depends not so much on situation, location, or on favorable circumstances, but on attitude, for if one was to cherish a living faith, not dwelling on real or imaginary doubts and problems, many difficulties would disappear as if they were phantoms. Let’s read:
[C&C pp 92] Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, “Go forward.” We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit.
Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, “Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly” but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.
Thus, we turn to our main course, in the experience of Gideon and the people who volunteered to fight the Midianites who had come up against Israel. In response to his call, thousands responded readily, but the attitudes then harbored by some were not right, and they were asked to return home. Let’s read:
Judges 7:2 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
It’s not that there were too many people, there were too many of a certain type of people.
God could have used the many thousands who had responded, but because He is a Spirit, and attitudes mean a whole lot to Him, He could not use most of them. In other words, a few with the right attitude would be much more effective than thousands with the wrong attitude. Discouragement, faithlessness, fear and cowardice are contagious elements in the spiritual realm, so, in this instance the more would not be the merrier. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 14:6 Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.
Judges 7:3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
4 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
Even though it seemed as if only the brave ones had remained, yet their attitudes will prevent God from working through them. They were not like minute-men, eagerly awaiting God’s command to advance. Most of these who remained would manifest a sort of laissez-faire attitude; they would be found either texting, or casually surfing the internet, when there was a national emergency on hand.
They would stop at Starbucks, or Dunkin Doughnuts on their way to fight the Midianites, and whilst they slowly sipped coffee, they would be found chatting unconcernedly about the news of the day, from the economy to impeachment, and therefore, by their attitudes it was manifested that their minds were not up to the task at hand, and that is why God refused to use them. Let’s read:
Judges 7:5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Everyone that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
7 And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.
Hear the word of The Lord now. Character is often tested by the simplest means for it’s the little things in life that make a big difference. Whenever a living faith in God is cherished in the heart an indomitable spirit would be seen. The Spirit of God does not deal in defeat, but only in victory, and therefore, all who sincerely espouse the name of Christ are to live like conquerors.
Attitudes of sloppiness, tardiness, unbelief, a lack of attention to details, untidiness, presumption and all rebellion should be put away. In their place we can, and should cultivate habits of obedience, diligence, belief, dispatch, kindness, courtesy, faithfulness and a humble teachable spirit, for wherever a conscious dependence on God is cherished, victorious living will be the only result. Let’s read:
Many whom God has qualified to do excellent work accomplish very little, because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no definite object for which to live, no standard to reach. Such will obtain a reward proportionate to their works.
[C.O.L pp 331>332] Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you.
Fate has not woven its meshes about any human being so firmly that he need remain helpless and in uncertainty. Opposing circumstances should create a firm determination to overcome them. The breaking down of one barrier will give greater ability and courage to go forward. Press with determination in the right direction, and circumstances will be your helpers, not your hindrances.
We end with a passage of scripture that should help us in developing and cultivating the right attitudes, if we were to trust in God fully, asking Him for grace to live victoriously each day. Let’s read:
2nd peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God Bless!