Thoughts or attitude?

All of us know people who have a lousy disposition or attitude; but what is the difference between a person’s attitude and a person’s way of thinking? 

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

Alternatively,

• a position of the body proper to or implying an action or mental state

• informal truculent or uncooperative behavior; a resentful or antagonistic manner : I asked the waiter for a clean fork, and all I got was attitude.

• informal individuality and self-confidence as manifested by behavior or appearance; style : she snapped her fingers with attitude.

• the orientation of an aircraft or spacecraft, relative to the direction of travel.                                                                                               Wikipedia dictionary

Here’s the question--does our thinking shape our attitude, or does our attitude shape our thinking?  Perhaps the answer is ‘yes’—both are true.  So to be transformed by the renewing of our minds would certainly involve an attitude check; not one of us wants to be thought of as having a rotten attitude, right? Romans 12.2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Which comes first—thoughts or attitude?  Let’s think about it--if your boss told you that your attitude about your job was poor, the only way to effect any change in your attitude would be to examine your thinking about that job.   Take a look at the first line of the definition above—attitude: a settled way of thinking.  It seems then that you have let your thoughts shape an outlook or a disposition toward something…right?  So, taking apart the thoughts behind your outlook would be the only way to understand and then alter your attitude.

When I think of ‘attitude’ in Scripture, one passage comes to mind—Philippians 2, which I have loved since I was in college.  Paul wrote, ‘have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus …’ Oh Paul, blessed man that you are!  You are going to tell us what our attitudes should be…saying they should be just like those of Jesus.  Seriously?  ‘Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant . . .’ What attitude did Jesus have, that Paul suggested we ought also have? 

Hmmm… well, this attitude of Christ’s allowed him to see things in perspective, this attitude that Jesus exhibited made him a pleasure to be around…

  why, he was sought-after company at weddings and feasts!

This attitude was the same one that prompted him to weep with Mary and

  Martha when their brother died, (though he knew he would raise him from

  the dead!) 

This same disposition prompted him to pick up the basin and the towel   

  and wash his disciples’ feet his last night spent with them.

If our definition at the start has any merit, then what ‘settled way of thinking’ did Jesus possess?  May I suggest that Jesus’ attitude was one of humility … right thinking of himself… and his purpose.  Then what sort of attitude should we have?  we should have an attitude of humility.  Look at the definition again--a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something—ourselves; typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior--how we act, how we treat others.  Paul wrote, ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.’  Yes!  Philippians 2:3-4

So, is it all about thoughts or attitude, and how are the two related?  Which one do we order first?  And how would being transformed by the renewing of our minds affect our attitudes?  Right thinking -> proper view of oneself -> attitude of humility -> thinking of others first . . . a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior.

And so it seems that good and right thinking goes hand in hand with possessing a positive attitude; and a good attitude will certainly give us a right view of ourselves, as compared to others, which will in turn help us to think rightly. Yes, dear Lord, I want to have a good attitude, so please renew my mind with right thinking!