The Bible often speaks about the importance of our attitude, not just our actions. In Philippians 2:5, the Apostle Paul challenges believers to “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” This isn’t just a suggestion; it is the very essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ. An attitude is a mental position or disposition toward something, and it determines how we behave. Our attitude can be good or bad, depending on whether our soul—our mind, will, and emotions—is properly disposed. The key question for every Christian is: Does my attitude reflect the character of Christ?
According to Colossians 3:1-2, we are to “Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.” Conversely, as seen in Matthew 16:23, a wrong attitude can turn us into a stumbling block, as Jesus told Peter, “you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.” Our attitude is paramount, and Paul describes the divine condescension of the Son of God in a three-fold manner as the blueprint for the attitude we are to possess.
The Attitude of Christ
Paul outlines the attitude of Christ as a model for our own.
1. He Didn’t Grasp His Divine Status
Paul begins by stating that Christ, “as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped” (Philippians 2:6). The Greek word for “form” (morphē) refers to an essential state of being or essence. This means Jesus, the Logos, existed in the very essence of God from the beginning. However, He did not cling to this divine status. The Greek word translated as “consider” (hēgeomai) means to reckon or regard. He reckoned it more important to fulfill the Father’s purpose of redemption than to hold on to His exalted position. This act of conscious relinquishment is an attitude of submission—a willingness to be relegated to a lower position for a greater, divine cause. As John 6:38 states, Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” This is a profound example of voluntarily letting go of one’s status for a beneficial purpose, as also highlighted in Hebrews 2:9.
2. He Emptied Himself
Next, Paul writes that Christ “emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). The Greek word for “emptied” (kenoō) means to render void or to drain. Christ willingly drained Himself of His glorious form of God (the Logos) to “become flesh” (John 1:14). This wasn’t just an act of humility; it was an act of complete selflessness. He let go of His rights and privileges for the sake of others, specifically so that He “might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14-15).
3. He Humbled Himself Through Obedience
Finally, Christ “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). The Greek word for “humbled” (tapeinoō) means to bring low. The Son of God humbly obeyed the Father’s command, even if it meant His suffering and death. This demonstrates an attitude of humility that goes beyond simply being free from pride. True humility, as exemplified by Christ, is a willingness to suffer for the sake of others. The author of Hebrews notes that Jesus, “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8-9).
Why Christians Must Have This Attitude
Paul’s instruction to “have this attitude among yourselves” (Philippians 2:5) was a direct response to a lack of Christian virtues within the Philippian church. As outlined in Philippians 2:1-4, they were to have “the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” They were to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit” and to “consider one another as more important than yourselves.” They were struggling with different intentions and selfish motives. The attitude of Christ is the solution. It’s the unifying mind that allows Christians to encourage, comfort, and have compassion for one another.
The Gospel record further illustrates this attitude. Jesus said, “I can do nothing on My own. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30). He consistently emphasized that His teaching was not His own (John 7:16), and that He did nothing on His own initiative (John 8:28). The attitude of Christ is the true essence of biblical Christianity. To be a Christian is to renounce your own rights and surrender to the will of God, taking up your cross and following Him (Matthew 16:24-25). It is to be “crucified with Christ” so that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). We are to “set our minds on the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1-2).
The Reward of a God-Pleasing Attitude
God doesn’t ignore this self-sacrificial attitude. As a direct result of Christ’s humility, God “highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). He was seated at God’s right hand, far above all rule and authority (Ephesians 1:19-21). This exaltation ensures that “at the name of Jesus every knee will bow… and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
The ultimate goal of our lives is to please God in everything. We were chosen to “be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:4). The only way to please God is to be like Christ in every way. The attitude of Christ is the measure of our spiritual maturity and the definition of a true Christian. If our lives don’t demonstrate this attitude of submission, selflessness, and humility, then our faith is practically pagan, defined by self-interest rather than by Christ-likeness.
