ARM YOURSELF
1 PETER 4:1-3
1 PETER 4:1-3 NKJV
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
OBSERVATION:
No, this devotional is not an advertisement for the NRA. But it is, in a sense, a call to arms.
Peter, by the Holy Spirit, is giving instructions to the church regarding preparing themselves. Arm yourselves also with the same mind, indicating adopting a mindset. And not just any mindset; this is a resolve to suffer in the flesh.
Now don't stop reading or listening here, or you will miss what is being communicated.
This is not a call to suffering with sickness, pain, depression, and mental anguish. This suffering is what takes place when we tell our flesh and its desires no.
The armed mindset says that to stop sin in my life, my flesh will have to suffer. It does not feel good to say no to your fleshly desires. And if they have been in an area that you have given into for years, it is particularly difficult.
The end goal is that we no longer live for the desires of man. But that we live to fulfill God's will. Jesus did this for us in a big way. He suffered for us in the flesh and He is our example.
Peter then lists some of the desires of men. He calls it doing the will of the Gentiles, those who don't know God. It is fairly graphic - debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. (NIV)
Peter is not shaming them for their past indulgences in these areas but calling them to a new level of life. A life that does not give in to these cravings. And that refusal to give in will cause your flesh to suffer.
APPLICATION:
I became sick one night when we were on a family vacation. I was suffering with pain and nausea. But that was a different kind of suffering than what we see in our verses for today.
The sufferings I was experiencing did not cause me to cease from sin. Just the opposite. I snapped off at Joy and was extremely unkind.
She politely informed me that if I wanted her to take me to the ER and if I planned on getting better, I needed to walk in love. Then she smiled and walked out of the room. I repented and apologized.
If we are going to stop the sin in our lives, we will have to adopt a Christ-like mindset. Our flesh will suffer, but we will fulfill the will of God.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me to follow Your excellent example and arm myself with the same mindset. I do want to fulfill Your will for my life.