In the midst of the overall message of 1 Peter, the teaching of 4:1-4 points to some changes that Christians did, and still do, go through in their lives.

yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered

in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live

the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will

of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have

wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in

lasciviousness, lusts, excess of win, revellings, banquetings,

and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye

There are at least four changes that we can observe in these verses: a change of outlook, a change of choice, a change of lifestyle/conduct, and a change of response (from others). Let us take a closer look and learn together.

(1) Change of Outlook – This is seen in the fact that the Holy Spirit charges the saints to arm themselves "with the same mind" (4:1). This "mind" is the mind/spirit/heart/attitude of the Christ. Christians in Philippi were given the same instruction: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). In the context of 1 Peter 4, having the same mental approach that Jesus showed points to the attitude that a person should have toward the suffering that he/she must endure. In principle, though, we know that the mindset of Jesus was to "do always those things that please" the One that sent Him (John 8:29). Yea, Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8). In all honesty, before one is converted to the Christ, he/she is not thinking like Jesus thought. One that is lost outside of the Christ puts self and one’s own desires above what the Lord wants. Thus, one that contemplates obeying the gospel must recognize that following Jesus will certainly require a change of outlook. With that change in outlook, there must come another change.

(2) Change of Choice – Because this takes place in the mind, this is directly linked to the necessary change of outlook. What is there in 1 Peter 4 that points to a change of choice? It is the fact that a person must decide to live the rest of his/her life on earth, not "for the lusts of men, but for the will of God" (4:2, NKJV). Now, as a new creature in the Christ, where all things are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17), you and I must determine to do it God’s way, not ours, living for Him, and not living for the pleasures of the lusts of the flesh. This is not an easy choice, but it is one that we must make and stick with. Again, Jesus said of Himself that He did not come down from heaven to do His own will, but rather to do the will of the One that sent Him (John 6:38). We are to lay aside every weight and every form of sin that might beset us as we run the Christian race (Hebrews 12:1). It is a matter of being willing to change our choice. But, our change of choice leads to a change of course in life.

(3) Change of Lifestyle/Conduct – How does Peter describe the former life of those to whom he writes? In their pre-Christian days, they "walked in lasciviousness [lewdness, NKJV], lusts, excess of wine [drunkenness, NKJV], revellings, banquetings [drinking parties, NKJV], and abominable idolatries" (4:3). But, enough is enough, and that lifestyle of fulfilling the lusts of the flesh was to be a thing of the past. Thank God that now Peter can honestly say that these saints of God no longer "run" or participate in such activities. In the past, yes, they did partake of such, but not now, not now that they are determined to live with and for the Christ. They have changed. Good for them!

Every child of God that wants to please Him and go to heaven must be willing to forsake all for Jesus’ sake (Luke 14:33). That includes the willingness to walk in newness of life, putting off the old man of sin (Romans 6:4-6; Colossians 3:5-9). It is a beautiful thing when God’s children refuse to walk in darkness, being committed to walking in the light for the Master’s glory (1 John 1:7). It is a shame, indeed, a disgrace to the Lord’s Cause, when members of the blood-bought church of the Christ are friends with and love the world (James 4:4). But, make no mistake about it: the message of 1 Peter 4:3,4, coupled with a great number of other New Testament passages, teaches the principle that every disciple of Jesus must come out from among the ways of sin and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17). The change in the conduct of a person when he/she becomes a Christian, is often accompanied by another significant change.

(4) Change of Response – This is a change in the way that others treat those who try to do the Lord’s will. Look again at two items that stand out in 1 Peter 4:4. First, the non-Christians "think it strange" that the Christians no longer join them in their sinful conduct. Second, some of those non-saints are grieved by the change of the Christians’ lives to the point that they verbally express their unhappiness by "speaking evil" of members of God’s family.

Thinking that Christians are strange, and even bad-mouthing them, their conduct, their commitment, and their standard of authority, the Bible – these are two forms of persecution. They are not life-threatening, but still it is unpleasant for Christians of any era to be on the receiving end of unkind, cutting words. Yet, the plain exhortation of 1 Peter 4:16 is to glorify God in the case that we might suffer for the Lord’s name. Yea, we are to rejoice when we can suffer for Him (1 Peter 4:13).

Sadly, some children of God have compromised when others applied the pressure to "come on" and drink with them, watch pornographic movies, or be involved in outside-of-marriage sexual activity. Many have compromised when their spouse begged them not to attend services, when their parents begged them to go to a man-made "church" with them, or when a friend ridiculed them into dressing immodestly. Quite frankly, no child of God needs a so-called friend that will try to get him/her to violate the will of God or his/her conscience. Others may not choose to walk the path that we have determined to take, and they may not like it that we refuse to dabble in sin with them, but they have crossed the line when they try to encourage us to transgress the teachings of the Bible. I do not know of anyone that needs a "friend" that tries to influence him/her to go against the teaching of the Master.

Yes, the changes that we have noted in 1 Peter 4:1-4 are serious matters – a change of outlook, a change of choice, a change of lifestyle/conduct, and a change of response. May God help us to keep our thinking straight, our hearts pure, and our conduct holy. If we will do that, there is bound to be some opposition, maybe even from our own household or closest friends (Matthew 10:36-38). May each of us be determined to hold fast to that which is good and shun every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22).

-- Roger D. Campbell