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Attitudes and Perspectives to Have
November 27, 2021

In my hometown of El Paso, Texas, I serve on the board of directors of a local non-profit organization, and because of that service, I was recently invited to attend a breakfast where I heard a nationally and internationally recognized scholar and expert talk about the need to address culture within organizations. This expert went on to explain there were certain attitudes and perspectives that were important parts of successful organizational cultures, and there were equally other attitudes and perspectives that needed to be avoided and minimized for organizations to be successful.

The presentation itself was short for the topic to be covered, about the length of today’s sermon, and in the end we were given a list of the good attitudes and perspectives to have, and the negative attitudes and perspectives to avoid. Looking at the list, it made it easy for me to see that the message we had been given, while based on decades of academic research and business consultation, reflected what is taught in the Bible. I don’t personally know the speaker and have no idea what values or beliefs the speaker had. I do believe since academic research was involved, the principles that were given to us were developed outside the pages of the Bible, based in the world of academia instead of faith. What I can share with you is that the decades of academic research and business consultation affirmed what is written in the Bible. The presenter might not come to that same conclusion, but knowing what is in the Bible and what was presented to me, I came to that conclusion. It reminded me of what I think is the most beautifully worded psalm that shows how the heavens declare the glory of God. The world we live in may value the creation and deny the creator, and yet, for all of us who believe, we know what we see around us in nature shows us the design and majesty of God

Psalm 19:1-14
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Just like the creation declares the glory and majesty of God to David, the academic research and years of business consultation that were presented in the breakfast I attended also declared the glory and majesty of God to me. The list of attitudes and perspectives presented was so long and inclusive, that today we will look at the positive attitudes and perspectives, and at the top of the list of must-have attitudes and perspectives to have top-notch work-place cultures where people will thrive and want to work is gratitude. Yes, you heard correct, gratitude. Last week, the sermon focused on gratitude, and this week we can review that from Paul’s writings we are to be focused on gratitude in our lives. Paul tells us to in everything give thanks. It’s amazing how without gratitude we cannot have the proper relationship with God, nor can we have the proper relationship with people.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-22
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Wisdom was another attitude or perspective to have. An entire book of the Bible, Proverbs, is written as a book of wisdom. Wisdom is well beyond knowledge. Wisdom is the smart application of knowledge. Proverbs tells us that we are happy if we find wisdom because wisdom is like a tree of life.

Proverbs 3:13-18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

James tells us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God to give us wisdom, and God will give us the wisdom we need.

James 1:2-5
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James also shows that the type of wisdom we must have is one that focuses on peace. There is no benefit to have wisdom that starts trouble or a fight. Wisdom is of benefit to us when it calms situations and brings peace.

James 3:13-18
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

To exercise wisdom that brings peace, we must have insight, also on that list of academic research. Insight is the ability to understand the situation you are facing while developing strategies to move through immediate difficulties and challenges. Paul used insight when he was on trial in Jerusalem. Paul’s insight led him to understand that part of the religious jury were Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection, angels and spirits; and the other part was comprised of Pharisees who believed in angels and spirits. Paul used the Pharisees’ belief in angels and spirits to divide the jury among themselves, and that took insight. Insight got Paul spared from trouble that day, and insight can spare us from trouble as well.

Acts 23:1-10
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

The greatest insight we can have is not in how other people interact with each other, but in how we must control what we do for ourselves. For instance, as people who have been called by God, we cannot walk away from that calling. Without that insight we are at risk of eternal death.

Hebrews 6:4-6
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Another insight we must have is who we truly are. We can lie to others, and we might even try to lie to God. We cannot be phony. We cannot appear to be religious while living a phony existence. We must be of pure faith and reflect our beliefs in all we do and say.

James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Creativity was on the list of attitudes and perspectives to have. Creativity doesn’t mean you have to be an artisan of any type or that you have to be an inventor. Creativity allows us to problem-solve. When we think about education and how we are taught, we are taught primarily to be problem solvers using different disciplines, math, written language, spoken language, scientific processes, and history. We know we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness and our needs will be met. God can use our own creativity to help meet our needs. Sometimes, people who look like they are hard-working, are really creative in how they get their work done.

Proverbs 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

We know we are going to have problems in life that need solving. To the Philippians, Paul wrote that they were to think about those things that were true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or a good report, that are worthy of virtue and praise. As we are creative in life, this is how we are to be creative.

Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

As we exercise creativity in our life, we need to remember that God is using creativity to bring each of us to salvation. We are all created In Jesus Christ to have good works.

Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The ability to innovate, to come up with new ideas to solve old problems was also on the list of attitudes and perspectives to have. When teaching the disciples Jesus gave the example of new wine being put into new wine bottles.

Mark 2:21-22
No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

When God comes to earth, God will be coming not to the earth we know, but to a new earth with a new Jerusalem, showing how God is innovative.

Revelation 21:1-4
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Our innovation comes by not conforming to this world, but by being transformed by the renewing of our mind through the Holy Spirit. We must be led by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Resourcefulness was another quality on that list, and we can look to David who not only was a man after God’s own heart, David was resourceful, who when he killed Goliath, he chose not to wear battle clothes so that he could preserve his ability to use speed and surprise. While Goliath was weighted down with his armor, David quickly approached Goliath and killed him with a stone flung from a relatively safe distance. David was resourceful to use the skills he had, probably developed in efforts to protect the sheep he tended, instead of using unproven systems he was inexperienced with.

1 Samuel 17:41-51
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Today, our resourcefulness probably won’t be used to slay giants. We will need to use resourcefulness to provide for our family.

1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Hopefulness is also the list of positive qualities to have. We know hope is linked to faith.

Hebrews 11:1-2
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.

It is easy to become negative. Optimism can get us through times of difficulty. When we are optimistic about something we have a hope that something good will happen. Spiritually, we should be very optimistic about our salvation, because we know that if God is for us, and we have that belief that God is for us, that no person can be against us. We can be optimistic that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:31-39
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Appreciation was another concept that successful organizations had working for them. Think about this, when Paul wrote to Timothy, he told Timothy that the elders who ruled well were to be worthy of a double honor, especially those who labored in the faith. If the elders were to be worthy of a double honor, it implies that all who do well are worthy of honor. There can only be a double honor where honor exists. Without honor there can be no double honor. That’s how math works. The honor Paul is writing to Timothy about is appreciation. I think most people in some way appreciate what is done for them. I have come to learn that unspoken appreciation is of little value. We need to show appreciation to others so that they can understand there is appreciation.

1 Timothy 5:17-18
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Patience is not only a virtue, it is another quality on this list of attitudes and perspectives. God and Jesus are patient to us so that we might have salvation, and if They extend patience to us, we should extend patience to others.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

When we have patience, it is not during good times. We do not think of patience as something we have when everything is going well when we are on vacation. We don’t have patience when the air conditioning is working or when the heater is running. We have patience when something is not right. God and Jesus have patience with us when things are not right with us, so that we can have salvation, and we must have patience during our times of troubles, whatever these may be.

Romans 12:9-12
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Understanding is a quality we must have. Fools are without understanding because they focus not on understanding others, but in expressing themselves.

Proverbs 18:2
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

We must have the understanding that we are like soldiers of Jesus Christ. We cannot allow our life in this world to cause us to switch loyalties. We cannot go rogue and fight for the others side. We must have the understanding to remain loyal to God and Jesus Christ throughout the rest of our entire life.

2 Timothy 2:1-7
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

We live in a world where humor comes with challenges, especially when political correctness creeps in. Political correctness takes away a God-like response to bad situations. We know from the Bible that God laughs at evil. Today, laughing at evil is frowned upon by society. Humor has to be an important part of our life.

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

In the Book of Psalms, we know God laughs at those who are evil.

Psalm 2:1-4
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

God laughs at those who plot against the just.

Psalm 37:12-13
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

God laughs at all who defy His laws.

Psalm 59:5-9
Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

Successful organizations are taught they must be flexible. For each of us to be successful, we must be flexible as well knowing we have this secret weapon we can use, the word of God, the counsel of God. We know no matter what situation we might face in life, God will get us through it.

Proverbs 19:20-21
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

When we are told we are saved through faith and not by works, that salvation is a gift of God, we know the counsel of the Lord will stand in our heart and lead us to salvation. We must respond by living a life where we show our faith by how we live our life according to the teachings of the Bible. We know that the broad principles of the Bible will give each of us strategies for life that Jesus Christ will use to bring us to salvation.

Ephesians 2:4-9
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved; And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The final positive quality mentioned in the breakfast I attended was being adaptive. If you have a car with adaptive cruise control, your car will maintain the speed you set and also slow down to match the speed of any slower cars in front of you. Noah and his family lived through the flood because Noah obeyed God and built an adaptive home for the flood, an ark that would float on water and be large enough to accommodate lots of animals. We have to be adaptive to the world we live in knowing that even during times when the message is aligned to the Bible, even when done unintentionally, that the world we live in lives in ignorance of God. Even though they see the signs of God in the creation around them, they choose to ignore the creator and worship the creation as if it created itself, out of nothing. We must always hold the faith we have.

2 Peter 3:5-7
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

When God decided to place mankind on earth, this happened well after the time of Satan’s rebellion, and God chose to make us after His image and likeness. God adapted His creation so mankind could dominate planet earth. God could have placed us on an earth ruled by man-eating dinosaurs. God chose not to do that. God adapted his creation for the benefit of mankind.

Genesis 1:26-28
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Sometimes, this world stumbles across Biblical truths that have existed for eternity and somehow think they have developed something new and grand. The academic research and business consultations that spanned decades gives today’s business and organization leaders positive concepts in how to run an organization, and all of these modern concepts are based on eternal, ancient of days, Biblical concepts. Today we looked at the positive attitudes and perspectives, all found in the Bible, the research uncovered. Next week, we’ll look at what is to be avoided, and if you know the Bible, you already have a good idea of what we will be talking about next time.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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