Let’s consider the spirit in which something is done. We can have a good spirit or show a bad spirit when told to do something. It is a joy to meet a person who has a happy spirit rather than one who displays a grumpy disposition all the time. Do you think the Lord Jesus is concerned with the spirit we display to those around us? What did He do when He was reviled (1 Peter 2:2323Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:23)), when they laughed Him to scorn (Matthew 9:2424He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. (Matthew 9:24)), and when He was oppressed and afflicted (Isaiah 53:77He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7))?
Sometimes it may be difficult to show a Christian spirit when others make fun of us, but if we remember all that He did for us, it will be easier. Then, we can ask the Lord to help us to display a good spirit in an evil world. When we do so, we shine as lights in a dark place. We will be happy (1 Peter 3:1414But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (1 Peter 3:14)), and we will bring joy to the heart of God our Father.
The Bible has many illustrations of those who had a good spirit and of those that didn’t.
1. Why was Daniel preferred above the presidents and princes so that the king thought to set him over the whole realm? Daniel 6:___
2. When the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, what began to trouble him? 1 Samuel 16:___
3. All the men who had seen the Lord’s glory and miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness would not see the land. Why was Caleb an exception?
Numbers 14:___
4. What does it say about the man in whose spirit there is no guile?
Psalm 32:___
5. What did Paul desire would be with Philemon’s spirit? Philemon ___