As Christians, we often struggle with understanding God’s will for our lives. While the internet is flooded with searches about finding God’s purpose, the apostle Peter provides clear guidance in 1 Peter 4:1-14 about what it truly means to embrace our calling as believers. This calling isn’t about career advice or life direction—it’s about developing the right attitudes that enable us to live righteously while we await Christ’s return.
What Does It Mean to Arm Yourself as a Christian?
Peter begins with a powerful command: “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” (1 Peter 4:1). This phrase “arm yourselves” literally means to be ready and to man your station. Just as a trained soldier has instinctive responses in battle, Christians need spiritual instincts that kick in automatically when we face temptation or trials. Our attitudes function as weapons in spiritual warfare. Weak or wrong attitudes lead to defeat, while godly attitudes position us for victory. An outlook truly determines outcomes, and believers must cultivate the right mindset to live righteously.
The First Attitude: Commitment
The attitude of commitment involves three key elements that Peter outlines:
Be Prepared and Ready
We must arm ourselves through spiritual disciplines—prayer, Bible study, fellowship—so that when spiritual attacks come, we respond instinctively rather than being caught off guard. The world is against us, and we need to be prepared for that reality.
Think Like Christ
Having “the same way of thinking” means developing the mind of Christ. As Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This requires a fundamental shift in how we approach life’s decisions.
Live for God’s Will
Peter calls us to live “no longer for human passions, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). Many people know God’s will but don’t live it because it conflicts with their desires. Living for God’s will can seem like a major inconvenience, but it’s actually the path to peace and joy.
Why Do We Need an Attitude of Wisdom?
The second essential attitude is wisdom, which Peter describes by saying “the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do” (1 Peter 4:3). This attitude of wisdom involves learning from our past mistakes and refusing to live double-minded lives.
Learning from Past Experiences
Peter encourages us to look back at our past and recognize that worldly pursuits didn’t bring lasting satisfaction. We’ve spent enough time living like the world—now we’re called to live as Christians, which is often the polar opposite.
Expect Opposition
When we stop participating in sinful activities, others will be surprised and may even speak evil of us (1 Peter 4:4). They might use guilt tactics or act offended, but we don’t need to defend ourselves for doing what’s right. Our righteous living convicts those who continue in sin, and they don’t like that conviction.
Remember Future Judgment
Peter reminds us that everyone “will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5). This eternal perspective should motivate us to live wisely now, knowing we’ll answer to Jesus for how we’ve lived our lives.
How Should Christians Show Love While Waiting for Christ’s Return?
The third attitude Peter emphasizes is love. From verse 7 through the end of the chapter, he provides practical instructions for how Christians should live while awaiting Christ’s return.
Stay Sober-Minded and Prayerful
Peter instructs us to “be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7). Being sober-minded means keeping our cool and maintaining clear thinking. Anger clouds our judgment and hinders our prayers. As Christians, we must be prayerful people because if we’re prayerless, we’re defenseless.
Love Earnestly
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). This isn’t superficial love but love in action. When we truly love someone, we can work through their faults and failures. We don’t give up on people when they stumble—we cover them in prayer and love them through difficult times.
Practice Hospitality
The early church used hospitality as one of its most powerful tools for building community and encouraging believers. Peter commands us to “show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). This means opening our homes and lives to fellow believers, not out of obligation but in anticipation of the blessing that comes when believers gather together.
What About Using Our Spiritual Gifts?
Peter emphasizes that “each has received a gift” and we should “use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). Every believer has been given spiritual gifts—not just some, but each of us. We’re called to use these gifts, not just figure out what they are. The word “stewards” indicates we’ll be judged on how we use our gifts. A steward is a manager whose effectiveness is measured by how well they use what they’ve been given to further their master’s purposes.
How Should We Handle Trials and Suffering?
Peter addresses the reality that following Christ brings trials: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
Trials Aren’t Strange
Suffering for righteousness isn’t unusual—it comes with the territory of following Christ. The more we live for Christ, the more we’ll face opposition because our lives challenge the kingdom of darkness.
Rejoice in Suffering
Peter calls us to “rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings” (1 Peter 4:13). Suffering for Christ is both a confirmation that we’re truly following Him and a witness to others. When we rejoice in trials—taking the joy of Jesus and giving it back to Him and others—it has a powerful impact on both ourselves and those around us.
Life Application
This week, examine your attitudes in these three areas: commitment, wisdom, and love. Choose one specific area where you need to “arm yourself” better. Perhaps you need to establish more consistent prayer and Bible study habits, stop participating in activities that don’t honor God, or begin showing more intentional love and hospitality to fellow believers. Remember that embracing your calling as a Christian isn’t about finding the perfect career or life path—it’s about developing godly attitudes that prepare you to live righteously while awaiting Christ’s return. Ask yourself these questions: Am I truly committed to living for God’s will, even when it’s inconvenient? Do I have the wisdom to learn from my past and resist the pull of worldly living? Am I showing earnest love to other believers through my actions, not just my words? How am I using my spiritual gifts to serve others and build up the church? When trials come, do I respond with joy and see them as opportunities to share in Christ’s sufferings?
