Cultivating attitudes that reflect God’s supreme authority is essential for believers seeking to align their hearts and lives with His sovereign will. The following ten attitudes—rooted in Scripture and exemplified by Christ—guide believers to foster a deeper relationship with God and reflect His glory in every aspect of life.
Humility: Not Pridefulness
Humility aligns with God’s nature and fosters a heart posture that is receptive to His grace, guidance, and love. Humility acknowledges human dependence on God’s sovereignty, recognizing that all blessings, abilities, and opportunities come from Him, not from personal merit. Pride, conversely, elevates the self above God, fostering arrogance and self-reliance.
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” —1 Peter 5:6
“What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?” —1 Corinthians 4:7
Faith: Not Fear
Exercise faith rather than succumb to fear because faith reflects trust in God’s sovereign power, goodness, and promises, fostering a deeper connection with Him. Faith enables believers to rely on God’s unchanging nature and His ability to guide and provide, even in uncertain or challenging circumstances. Fear, on the other hand, stems from doubt and self-reliance.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” —Hebrews 11:6
“For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” —2 Timothy 1:7
God-Dependent: Not Self-Reliant
Dependence upon God rather than self-reliance fosters a deep, trusting relationship that acknowledges God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and provision. By relying on God, believers recognize that their strength, resources, and purpose come from Him, aligning their hearts with His divine plan. Self-reliance, however, often leads to pride and a false sense of control.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.” —Psalm 28:7
Patience: Not Haste
Patience reflects trust in God’s sovereign timing and wisdom, fostering spiritual growth and alignment with His divine plan. Patience enables believers to endure trials, wait on God’s promises, and respond to others with grace. Hastiness, on the other hand, often leads to impulsive decisions, errors, or reliance on human understanding, which disrupts God’s purpose.
“Wait for the Lord! Be strong and confident! Wait for the Lord!” —Psalm 27:14
“Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good, and haste makes mistakes.” —Proverbs 19:2
Obedience: Not Disobedience
Obedience reflects a heart submitted to God’s sovereign authority and trust in His perfect will. By obeying God’s commands, believers demonstrate faith in His wisdom and align their lives with His divine purpose. Disobedience stems from self-will and rebellion, disrupting the relationship with God and leading to consequences that hinder His plan.
“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” —John 14:15
“The one who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me; and the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him.” —John 14:21
Gratefulness: Not Dissatisfaction
Gratitude reflects a heart that recognizes God’s sovereignty, provision, and goodness, fostering a deeper trust in His divine plan. Dissatisfaction, however, breeds discontent and self-focus, leading believers to overlook God’s faithfulness and provision, which can weaken their faith and relationship with Him.
“Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him and bless his name!” —Psalm 100:4
Contentment: Not Covetousness
Contentment reflects trust in God’s sovereign provision and gratitude for His blessings, fostering peace and spiritual satisfaction. Contentment acknowledges that God’s plan and provision are sufficient, aligning believers with His will. Covetousness, however, breeds discontent and a desire for what others have, leading to envy and spiritual unrest.
“I have learned to be content in any circumstance.” —Philippians 4:11
“Make sure you are not drawn toward material things, but instead be content with what you have, for he himself has said, ‘I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.’” —Hebrews 13:5
Diligence: Not Negligence
Diligence reflects a heart committed to honoring God through faithful stewardship of time, talents, and responsibilities. Diligence involves persistent effort and care in pursuing God’s purposes. Negligence, in contrast, demonstrates a lack of care or effort, leading to wasted opportunities and a failure to glorify God or serve others effectively.
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” —Colossians 3:23
“The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” —Proverbs 21:5
Love: Not Self-Centeredness
Love reflects God’s own nature and fulfills His greatest commandments, fostering unity and glorifying Him. By prioritizing love, believers build relationships that honor God and serve others, aligning with His call to love Him and their neighbors. Self-centeredness, conversely, prioritizes personal gain, leading to division, pride, and neglect of others’ needs.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” —Matthew 22:37-39
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” —1 John 3:16
Worshipfulness: Not Idolatry
Worship reflects a heart devoted to God’s sovereignty, acknowledging Him as the only true God worthy of adoration. Worship aligns believers with God’s glory, fostering intimacy and reverence in their relationship with Him. Idolatry, conversely, places created things above the Creator, violating His supreme authority.
“You must have no other gods before me.” —Exodus 20:3
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name! Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness!” —Psalm 29:2
These ten attitudes form a cohesive framework for living in alignment with God’s sovereignty. Together, they cultivate a heart posture that trusts His authority, reflects His character, and glorifies Him in all circumstances.
