Do bad attitudes condemn?

Nobody likes social drama, yet it is all around us. How does God feel about it through? Can a brother or sister lose their salvation for harboring ill feelings towards another member of the church? Rather than making any assumptions about what is and is not acceptable to God, let’s just see what He says in His word.

As we examine this subject, please keep in mind we are dealing with attitudes and matters of the heart. Our God knows what is truly in our hearts (II Cor. 11:13-15). All of the following can divide Christians and are unacceptable to Him:

• Treating others in an ungodly manner
• Pretending to be godly when we are filled with envy, jealousy and hatred
• Harboring bad feelings toward someone and avoiding speaking to them

We often find ways to blame others for our bad attitudes. “After all, if someone didn’t do things to make me feel jealous, I wouldn’t feel this way.” It might feel like we are less guilty if we can point out the error of someone else, but sin is still sin. If someone wronged us and we reacted poorly, both parties are guilty (Titus 3:3; James 3:14).

We are guilty even if we do not overtly do anything – cursing, lashing out, etc. as Christians are accountable for their thoughts. (Heb. 4:12-13). Is anyone’s soul really in jeopardy due a bad attitude? Consider these Biblical examples of people who were rebuked for their attitudes:

Diotrephes (III John 9-10)

Diotrephes had more than a bad attitude – he sinfully acted on it by kicking Christians out of a local church and seeking prominence for himself. That desire for prominence – a bad attitude – was the root cause for all of this sin. Even if he never refused John and never put others out of the church, the attitude itself was wrong. The actions of Diotrephes make this obvious. Remember the teaching of Christ: “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:16).

Martha (Luke 10:38-42)

I am not suggesting that, in the end, Martha was lost. However, she was sufficiently upset with Mary to suggest that the Lord rebuke Mary. If someone wanted to take Martha’s side, they might say that Mary caused Martha to feel this way. This is why this article was written. Brethren often feel that it is not their fault when they have bad thoughts.  Evil thinking causes people to think, “They are doing that on purpose”, or “They are doing that just to get under my skin.” It may or may not be true, but we are still responsible for how we react!

The elder brother (Luke 15:25-32)

 The story of the prodigal son ends well for the prodigal but less happily for his brother. We might think that everything was fine with the elder brother until his younger brother came home. Not so. If our righteousness only lasts until someone crosses us up, then we are living a lie. If I only appreciate you when I get more attention than you, then how genuine is my faith? This elder brother needed an attitude adjustment. He was upset with his brother and also his father. Now we see how the guilty want to blame others for their disposition.

There is no question that a bad attitude can and will cost people their souls. Let us be mindful of this danger and do what we must to control what we think. After all, out of the heart proceeds many evils (Mark 7:20-23). Beware!

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Chuck