Wrong Attitudes
What wrong attitudes should Christians avoid?
Anger
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Ge 37:18, 19, 23, 24, 31-35—Joseph’s brothers attack him, sell him as a slave, and deceive Jacob into thinking that his beloved son is dead
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Ge 49:5-7—Simeon and Levi are called to account for their cruel anger and harsh fury
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1Sa 20:30-34—In a fit of anger, King Saul insults his son Jonathan and tries to kill him
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1Sa 25:14-17—Nabal screams insults at David’s men, putting his own household in mortal danger
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Contentiousness
Cowardice
Cruelty
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Ge 42:21-24—Joseph’s brothers recall with regret their cruel treatment of Joseph
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Mr 3:1-6—Jesus is thoroughly grieved by the cruel attitude of the Pharisees
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Disrespect
See “Disrespect”
Egotism
See also Pr 3:7; 26:12; Ro 12:16
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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2Sa 15:1-6—Absalom indulges in showy displays and seeks to steal the people’s hearts away from King David, his father
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Da 4:29-32—King Nebuchadnezzar is prideful, which leads to his receiving discipline from Jehovah
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Envy; covetousness
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Ge 26:12-15—Jehovah blesses hardworking Isaac, and the Philistines begin to envy him
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1Ki 21:1-19—Wicked King Ahab covets Naboth’s vineyard, which leads to conspiracy and murder
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Fear of man
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Nu 13:25-33—Ten of the Israelite spies are overcome with fear and spread that fear among the people
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Mt 26:69-75—The apostle Peter’s fear of man leads him to deny Jesus three times
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Greediness
See “Greediness”
Hatred
See also Nu 35:19-21; Mt 5:43, 44
Hypocrisy
See “Hypocrisy”
Jealousy
See “Jealousy”
Laziness
Love of money, material things
See also 1Jo 2:15, 16
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Job 31:24-28—Though wealthy, Job avoids the snare of materialism
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Mr 10:17-27—A wealthy young man loves his possessions too much to leave them behind and follow Jesus
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Malicious bitterness
See also Jas 3:14
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Ob 10-14—The Edomites are condemned for showing malicious bitterness toward their brothers, the Israelites
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Presumptuousness
See “Presumptuousness”
Pride; haughtiness
See “Pride”
Quarrelsomeness
See also Pr 15:18; 17:14; 27:15; Jas 3:17, 18
Rebelliousness
See also De 21:18-21; Ps 78:7, 8; Tit 1:10
Self-righteousness
Ec 7:16; Mt 7:1-5; Ro 14:4, 10-13
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Mt 12:1-7—Jesus exposes the self-righteous attitude of the Pharisees
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Lu 18:9-14—Jesus uses an illustration to show that self-righteous ones do not gain God’s favor
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Stubbornness
See also Jer 7:23-27; Zec 7:11, 12
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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2Ch 36:11-17—Zedekiah proves to be a wicked and stubborn king, leading his people to disaster
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Ac 19:8, 9—The apostle Paul withdraws from those who stubbornly refuse to believe the Kingdom message
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Unreasonableness
See also 1Pe 2:15
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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1Sa 8:10-20—The Israelites react unreasonably to the prophet Samuel when he speaks to them about why it is unwise to have a human king
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1Sa 25:2-13, 34—Nabal’s refusal to respond to a reasonable plea for aid nearly brings disaster on his entire household
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Wicked suspicions and accusations
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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1Sa 18:6-9; 20:30-34—King Saul suspects David of disloyalty and even tries to turn Jonathan against him
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