“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” —Lou Holtz (Legendary Notre Dame Football Coach)
Attitude isn’t everything! Some have said it is all you need, but in reality, that’s not true. If you have a stupendous attitude at work, but are totally inept to fulfill your responsibilities, you will either be laid off or encouraged to try another area of the company. This is best seen in leadership. Leaders know that attitude wins the hearts and minds of people before any activity is started. As Lou Holtz said, “…Attitude determines how well you do it.” Surely you have had the experience of coming head-on with a project, person, activity, etc. that you did not want to do. Your negative attitude determined your speed and follow-through as you did your job. Leaders know that a bad attitude can alter the outcome of any project or people. Leaders recognize this as soon as the person walked into the room. It is more than a ‘look’; more like a disposition of their person. Something is up! Their mind was already made up as they walked in to the office, jobsite, or the project. They have been predisposed but their attitude or mindset. Thus the person’s attitude will determine their altitude today. They will not grow, reach knew heights, or excel in what they are doing if their attitude stinks. Their skills may be par ex·cel·lence, but they will shorten their ceiling height of accomplishment with their attitude. Personal or corporate morale is a powerful thing. It is often determined by the attitude of the participants and just one can alter the course of the company, project, family, and church. Therefore, in a disciple’s life, it can alter the actions and possible outcomes of the cause of Christ in their local church. There is more to this ‘attitude’ thing than meets the eye.
Although the word attitude is not used in the scripture (in KJV); In Philippians 2.5 the scripture says— “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” This word “mind” is also attitude. It is a ‘mind-set’ which is attitude. The word “phroneite” is used for “mind” which comes from it’s root: “phroneó”. Phroneó means: to have understanding or to think. But phroneite was used by ancient greeks as: to think, to judge, to direct the mind to (mind-set), to observe (ponder on), and to care for. Thayer said that phroneite “essentially equates to personal opinion fleshing itself out in action.” This personal opinion or predisposition of thought (attitude) fleshes itself out in our actions. So the attitude isn’t everything, but it is essential to the outcome of the action.
In this text Jesus is the subject. Paul is referring to Jesus’ attitude (predisposition of thought and will). He tells us to let this mind or attitude be in us. The word “let” has always struck me as convicting. It means you can choose. You can either let this be the case or you can not let this be the case in your life. Your choice, your consequences. We are encouraged by the Apostle to let this be the case in us.
What mind, or attitude is he referring to? I am not making an attempt to work out the details in this text. For a fuller explanation please read and study verses 3-8 of the text. For our time here, I want to simplify where I can:
He was selfless (verses 3,4)
He was secure (verses 6,7)
He was submissive (verse 8)
Paul is saying these things were exhibited in the life of Christ because of His mindset or attitude. His mind was already made up! He also says that we can have this same attitude in our lives. We need to make up our minds before we even start the action.
Is your mind already made up?