Attitude Characteristics for Exemplary Christians

“I’ve had enough of your attitude!” How many moms can relate to having said that? And it probably isn’t in the context of children being angelic, winsome, agreeable, amenable, or compliant. Attitude probably conveys something more like sass, lip, disrespect, and rebellion. One’s attitude demonstrates the connection of one’s heart and one’s mind in clearer fashion than most attributes.

In its most positive sense, it’s one of the Tiny Virtues for Exemplary Christian Living . Our attitudes display on the outside what our hearts know on the inside. When I think of someone in the Bible whose attitude is virtuous in many ways, Esther is always one who immediately comes to mind. Maybe it’s because I’ve portrayed her character a few times when I’ve done first person narrative preaching (Bible character reenactment). There aren’t a whole lot of women in the Bible for me to do because most don’t come with such a bulk of Scripture to know much about their lives.

The Book of Esther shines with her virtuous attitude.  If you get a chance, read the whole Book of Esther. It doesn’t take long and it tells a great story that encourages both men and women with this heroic exchange as the story’s climax:

Esther 4:9 Hathach [one of Esther’s attendants] went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai [Esther’s cousin] had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Mordecai had been as a father to the orphaned Esther and he would not have been willing to sacrifice her. His attitude was protective of both his cousin and their people, the Jewish people. But characteristics of Esther’s attitude included her humility, winsomeness, respect, wisdom, bravery, selflessness, and compliance. Her character radiated in her every action and consequently, the king spared her life.  Esther’s actions saved the Jewish people.

Ponder today: How a little bit of good attitude goes a long way in producing positive outcomes.

Bible characters of the day: Esther and her cousin Mordecai