People are more impacted by your attitude than your theology...

[Guest HIS girl]

I read this today. Do you agree with that statement?

[stormy612]

But can't the 'attitude' of a person be a matter of perception? Those who are convicted of His truth are often seen as arrogant. And those who speak softly are often accused of being doubtful. Both are fully convinced, but are viewed by men as otherwise because of their perceptions (preconceived ideas, prejudices, etc.) But then, we are known by our fruits, aren't we?

[Leonard]

Certainly.

[EricH]

I would say a person's attitude is also shaped by their theology in many ways. So usually a bad attitude is the result of bad thinking at some point

[glorywatch]

If your theology is right your attitude will follow.

[EricH]

If your theology is right your attitude will follow.

Hopefully.

[AnotherTraveler]

Elijah was probably a pretty grumpy guy.

And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

2 Kings 2:23-24 (KJV)

Jonah was obviously a pretty grumpy guy.

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

Jonah 4:1 (KJV)

These two are examples of faithful prophets that suffered greatly and were sent out to do things that they probably didn't like having to do. They are not an excuse for any of us to be a grumpy gus, but the Lord used them even when their attitude wasn't the best, I think.

[LadyRaven]

I would say that:

People are more impacted by their impression about your character than what you put forth as true theology.

Attitude is only part of your total character. Some people have an apparently saccharine attitude, but it is false if it is passive aggressive. You can have a great attitude and still have a fatal character flaw. If you are inauthentic and unwilling to admit or acknowledge said flaw for whatever reason, people will hone in on it and that is what they judge you by. Your whole character, what you do, what you say, how you act, and what you are willing to admit about these things define who you are to others. That is what they see. It also demonstrates your true theology, as opposed to your said theology.

If you preach love, but believe inside that it's ok to hate a certain race or a certain subculture, unconditional love is not your true theology. Love within confines and conditions is your real theology. If you preach that you are a pacifist, but are willing to trample people during a protest, you are not a pacifist, you are merely anti whatever it was you were protesting. Others are often the ones to see this when we do not.

[O'Dannyboy]

I believe it's called countenance. We are even taught to put on a happy face and not to worry. It gives the wrong impression. We have a great deal to be thankful and happy for and I believe that is the purpose of Worthy Boards. To come together to remind each other how blessed we are and to take joy even in our chastening.

[Floatingaxe]

Elijah was probably a pretty grumpy guy.

And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

2 Kings 2:23-24 (KJV)

Jonah was obviously a pretty grumpy guy.

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

Jonah 4:1 (KJV)

These two are examples of faithful prophets that suffered greatly and were sent out to do things that they probably didn't like having to do. They are not an excuse for any of us to be a grumpy gus, but the Lord used them even when their attitude wasn't the best, I think.

I agree. I believe there is a cultishness about "niceness" today. Even Jesus wasn't always nice.