“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken”...
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Transcript of “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken”...
Proverbs 15:13
“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (NKJV).
Proverbs 17:22
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”
Proverbs 15:15
“All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
The World’s Emphasis on Positive Thinking
Denominational Approaches to Positive Thinking
Brethren’s Concerns About “Positive Preaching”
A Scriptural Attitude is Positive
DefinitionsWhat is a positive attitude? One that…
• Hopes for the best
• Looks for the best
• Believes the best is possible
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
DefinitionsWhat is a negative attitude? One that…
• Exaggerates life’s difficulties or shortcomings
• Ignores the good in life or others
• Imagines the worst possible outcome will happen
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Are there positive and negative people?
Without a positive attitude in our service to God we will be crippled, ineffective, and
doomed to a life of spiritual immaturity and discontentment!
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…1. Personal Growth (Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Tim.
1:12-14).
A positive attitude will say…
• “I can overcome temptations”
• “I can grow in service to Christ”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…1. Personal Growth (Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Tim.
1:12-14).
A negative attitude will say…
• “I’ll never be able to resist!”
• “I’ll never be like so and so!”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…2. Family Relationships (Eph. 5:22-29; 6:1-
4).
A negative attitude will say…
• “So and so just tries to frustrate me!”
• “If only so and so was more______”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…2. Family Relationships (Eph. 5:22-29; 6:1-
4).
A positive attitude will say…
• “I know they have their faults but they have some fine qualities!”
• “They put up with my faults—I can bear the few they have.”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…3. Dealing with Brethren (Col. 3:12-15).
A positive attitude will say…
• “So and so is really showing some growth in Christ.”
• “I really think I could encourage them in this or that.”
• “They did a fine job with that task!”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…3. Dealing with Brethren (Col. 3:12-15).
A negative attitude will say…
• “Brother so and so irritates me so much.”
• “They meant to do such and such that hurt my feelings.”
• “Could you believe they did that?”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…4. Personal Evangelism (Acts 18:24-28; 18:8-11).
A positive attitude will say…
• “Maybe if we try this, we could win some souls.”
• “So and so shows some potential, maybe with some work…”
• “People can change, if only I am ready to help them!”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…4. Personal Evangelism (Acts 18:24-28; 18:8-11).
A negative attitude will say…
• “We’ve tried it before, it won’t do any good!”
• “Nobody wants to do what’s right”
• “So and so will never accept the truth!”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…5. Facing Trials (2 Cor. 4:8-10).
A negative attitude will say…
• “This isn’t fair, why should I have to go through this?”
• “Nobody cares, or understands what I have to face!”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…5. Facing Trials (2 Cor. 4:8-10).
A positive attitude will say…
• “This is hard but I’ll make it through it and heaven will be worth it all!”
• “Others have faced things far worse than this”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…6. Our Relationship with the Lord (Deut. 6:24-25).
A positive attitude will say…
• “God really cares for me and has greatly blessed me!”
• “I want to do everything the Lord commands me.”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD
Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…6. Our Relationship with the Lord (Deut. 6:24-25).
A negative attitude will say…
• “Doing _____ for the Lord is the biggest pain in the world!”
• “Why is God so picky, if only I could do what I want to do!”
The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude
IN SERVING THE LORD