Attitudes

It is interesting that the word "attitude" is not in the bible (or KJV English translation). That seems surprising since "attitude" is an important thing and Christians should have a good attitude, although they, like all, sometimes have what is called in every day speech a "bad attitude." We know what people mean when they speak of having a bad attitude, but it may be harder to precisely define. What are the definitions given by the English dictionaries? 

- "manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind"

- "a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior."

- "a position of the body proper to or implying an action or mental state." 

example - "the boy was standing in an attitude of despair, his chin sunk on his chest"

- truculent or uncooperative behavior; a resentful or antagonistic manner. 

example - "I asked the waiter for a clean fork, and all I got was attitude"

Though the KJV does not translate any text with the word attitude, other English translations do. These are the results from those other translations: 

 

8 results in the NLT 

8 results in the NIV 

5 results in the CSB 

12 results in the NASB20 

8 results in the NASB95 

16 results in the NET

So, the word attitude is used by translators of the bible outside of the KJV. Let us notice a few.

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had." (Rom. 15: 5 NIV)

The NIV has "to be made new in the attitude of your minds" (Eph. 4: 23) instead of "renewed in the spirit of you minds." NLT has "your thoughts and attitudes."  

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin." (1 Pet. 4: 1) 

So, we see that verses which speak of having a certain mind must include the ideas of "frame of mind," mental posture, or attitude. 

What kind of attitude did Jesus have? Paul wrote to the Philippians and said "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" and then explained what that meant. (Phil. 2: 5) The context shows that this mind, or "mindset," included what we think of as "attitude." It is the mind or attitude of a humble servant. Paul also said to the Corinthians "we have the mind of Christ" (I Cor. 2:16), which could easily be translated as "we have the thoughts and attitude of Christ."

Let us all pray to have the attitude of Christ.