Christian home decor is available at plenty of crafting and department stores, gift shops and other retail outlets. But is a Christian home really about crosses on the walls?
In a dream I had recently, I was at our friends Tim & Kelry's house. Their walls were lined with crosses, Bible verse plaques and other Christian decor. I told Tim something like, “You can tell right away that Christians live here. But it’s not because of what’s on your walls. It’s because of your attitude. [The word attitude stood out strongly to me.] People can tell that Christians live here almost as soon as they walk in the door because of how you guys are.” If you don’t have the privilege of knowing Tim & Kelry (who have been featured on Trinity Broadcasting Network), their attitude is very much about worship to God and service to others. They humbly submit to God and one another. They value friendship highly and are always doing things for their friends. And they truly are vessels of the kindness of the Lord.
Tim & Kelry moved to LA to build God’s kingdom in Hollywood and influence influencers for Christ. They are so talented and so loving, with hearts of gold, that I just know God will use them greatly! Beyond being a PSA for the amazingness of the Kirschenmanns, I want this to be a reminder to all of us to live in such a way that people who visit our homes can tell that Christians live there. Crosses and Bible verses don’t mean anything if we are not humble and kind toward one another.
It’s not about what’s on the walls of our houses but what’s on the walls of our hearts.
The Holy Spirit has written His law on our hearts — in a basic way on the hearts of those who don’t yet know the Lord, and on another level in the hearts of those who are committed to Jesus (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26, Hebrews 8:10).
Are we following that law or ignoring it to walk our own paths? I believe the Holy Spirit desires to dwell in and infill every home, every heart, every city, every nation.
Since the word “attitude” stood out strongly to me in the dream, it reminded me of this Bible verse:
“Let your attitude be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:5-11, New Living Translation, says: 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. It’s helpful to read it in the New International Version too: 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To me, that verse shows that one of the primary attitudes of Christ Jesus that we are called to embody is humility. I can’t say I have that one down (and if I did, that wouldn’t be humble, right?) but I think it has to do with: • Not demanding a high status, even if we could sort of deserve it (verse 6) • Not using our positions for our own advantage but to serve Christ and others (verse 6) • Being willing to serve in or accept the lowest positions with a grateful heart (verse 7) • Not demanding to have an easy or luxurious life but accepting that we must go through trials (verse 7) • Not being overly concerned with what others think of us — Jesus was viewed as a criminal and He didn’t get upset about it (verse 7). Verses 9-11 show that there is a reward for humility. In contrast, Proverbs warns of the opposite, pride: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverb 16:18). It is important to know that there are rewards for humility and consequences for pride. After all, “those who come to God must believe that … He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). What do you think humility is? Have you seen humility be rewarded in your life or others’ lives?
The Bible also talks about attitude in terms of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5), warnings against complaining and grumbling, admonishments to not be afraid, and more.
• For believers — If someone were to walk into your home today, would they know instantly by the way you behave that you are a Christian? • For those who do not follow Jesus — what would you hope or expect to see in Christians’ attitudes and how they relate to one another, especially in their homes?
As the classic song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”
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