“If in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”
— Philippians 3:15–16
One of the most beautiful features of being a new creation in Christ is this: God shows us when we’re off track. He doesn’t shame us. He doesn’t push us away. He gently uncovers what’s not aligned with Him — and helps us grow.
Paul says, “If you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you.” That word reveal in Greek (ἀποκαλύπτω, apokalyptō) literally means to uncover, like pulling the curtain back on something hidden.
Which Attitude Are We Talking About?
It’s not just any random attitude. Paul is referring to a mindset — a heart posture — that presses on toward the prize.
What prize?
- That I may be found in Him…
- That I may know Him…
- That I may experience the power of His resurrection…
- That I may share in the fellowship of His sufferings…
- That I may be conformed to His death and live out from among the dead…
This is the attitude Paul says we should all have — to leave every accolade and false trusts behind and move on towards the prize of knowing Christ and the above mentioned list.
And if we don’t, God will help us see it.
Christ In Us Changes Us
Some people think, “If God has already forgiven my past, present, and future sins… won’t I just live however I want?”
That’s the old mindset talking. That’s fear-based, law-based thinking.
But Paul’s confidence isn’t in guilt or fear keeping us on track. It’s in Christ in you. He trusts that God Himself will correct and shape your heart.
John says the same thing in 1 John 2:27:
“The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things…”
That doesn’t mean we ignore teachers. It means that ultimately, God is our Teacher.
He is the one forming Christ in us from the inside out.
God Points Out When We’re Trusting Ourselves
Sometimes you realize it in the moment.
Other times, it’s in hindsight — after a failure, a misstep, or even a conversation.
But God shows us when we’re trusting in our own strength.
He lovingly reveals when we’re trying to gain worth from our performance or identity from our status.
And instead of condemnation, He invites us back:
“Press on. Keep walking. You know Me — now grow deeper in Me.”
Live By the Standard You’ve Already Reached
Paul ends that thought with:
“Let us keep living by the same standard to which we have attained.”
In other words:
You’ve already been made new.
You’ve already been given righteousness.
You’ve already received the Spirit.
Now walk in it. Keep going.
Don’t live below who you really are.
💬 Final Thought
You don’t need the law to change you.
You don’t need fear to keep you in line.
You have Christ in you — and God lovingly reveals what needs to shift.
So don’t be afraid of getting it wrong.
Trust that God will uncover what’s needed — and keep walking in what He’s already made you to be.
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