Attitude Adjustment
READ: Psalm 26:4-8
“Watch your attitude!” Perhaps your parents have said that to you at times when you’ve been less than respectful of them. “She has such a great attitude!” Maybe you’ve heard someone described like this, or know someone that you would describe like this, someone who is cheerful, joyful, helpful, and honest.
What kind of attitude do you have toward sin? David uses colorful, powerful language to describe his attitude toward these things. He doesn’t say, “I avoid sin,” or, “I don’t like the way people act sometimes.” He very forcefully says he does not associate, does not make plans with, abhors and refuses to be counted with those that are wicked, evil, hypocritical, and deceitful. Sin is so detestable to David that he doesn’t just emotionally dislike it, he physically averts it.
And what causes this in David? The same truths that move us to have the same attitude toward sin: the “wonderful deeds” of God. His grace and mercy in Jesus – grace and mercy that deserve our praise, our service to him, and that allow us to experience God’s presence and glory in love rather than in fear.
All too often, we have to admit that we not only don’t detest and abhor evil, but also find ourselves willingly participating in it. Our sinful nature moves us toward evil, the devil tempts us toward evil, and the world downplays the consequences of evil. But in Christ we have a much better way – an example to follow and an answer to our failure to flee from evil. Like David, we want to replace evil with good, to go about the LORD’s altar, sharing with others the wonderful news of full and free salvation in Jesus as we live in God’s presence, praising him and sharing his wonderful deeds with those around us.
May David’s attitude be our attitude, because of the love of God in Jesus!
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Are there times when it is difficult to resist and detest sin? Why? What are we to do when confronted by sins? Where do we turn when we fall into sin? Think of small ways and big ways that you can “proclaim aloud [God’s] praise” and “[tell] of all [God’s] wonderful deeds.”
THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT: Ask God to give you a heart, by the power of the Holy Spirit, which detests evil and delights in God’s praise and presence. Ask God to forgive you for the times you have failed to defend his Name or have chosen to disregard his will. Thank God for the gift of Jesus!