Person (11) Put Offs Put Ons
The New Testament lists various attitudes, motives and behaviour that we should “put off” and a matching list that we should “put on”. Our goal is to build the Put Ons into our character.
Attitudes
Put Offs
Put Ons
Gal 5:19-20
Sinful nature
Fruit of the Spirit
Hatred
contention
jealousy
selfish ambition
envy
conceited
Patience
kindness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control
peace
love
Eph 4
Hardened
hearts
covetousness
ignorance
bitterness
malice
greed
Compassion
honest
forgiving
kindness
tender
righteous
Col 3
Malice
anger
range
lust
greed
covetousness
lying
Compassion
kindness
humility
gentleness
meekness
patience
forgiving
thankful
(Love binds all these together)
James 3 13f
Envy
selfish
selfish ambition
Thankful
pure
peace-loving
considerate
gentle
submissive
merciful
impartial
sincere
1 Tim 3
Maliciousness
conceit
Temperate
controlled
gentle
Heb 6:12
Heb 4:11
Lazy
Diligence
Many of these attitudes are fruit of the Spirit. We can change our attitudes by rejecting the negative ones and deciding on the positive ones, but that will only take us so far. If we let the Holy Spirit work in our lives that better attitudes will emerge more easily and gradually become part of who we are.
The Holy Spirit judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4:12).
2 comments:
I am just wondering why being ambitious is considered part of the sinful nature? Can you expand on that?
Love all your writings and just soaking it up.
Good point Hugh. It depends what the ambition is for. James 3:14 and Galatians 5:20 both list “selfish ambition” on the negative side. I should have put the adjective selfish on to be clear (edited). The Greek word is “erithia”. It has the sense of self-seeking rivalry. It is sometimes translated as faction.
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