We’re studying through the first epistle of Peter. In my last post, I began talking about taking on the attitude of Christ.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV
Our lives will begin to change when we take on the attitude of Christ. That means taking on the Lord’s burden for the lost. The problem is that we’re afraid of what will change if we’re burdened with the same burden God has.
Peter literally writes that this happens because he that is burdened has stopped, paused from sin. Unfortunately, in many instances we like sin. We can’t see how we can enjoy life without it.
Also, we don’t want to be viewed as alien. We want to be accepted by the world. We want what the world is after. It’s all about our attitude.
The simple fact is that a change in attitude leads to change in direction. Taking on an attitude like Christ will lead us away from sin.
We spend so much time struggling to stop sin. But, according to the apostle, the way to defeat sin is to pick up a new attitude from Christ. Then sin will be on hold.
Peter then brings us to the result of all this. The original Greek of verse 2 tells us that taking on the attitude of Christ will cause you to reach the point where you no longer exist in the flesh lusting of men.
It’s having the attitude of Christ that overcomes the flesh. That’s because your mind is in control of the flesh. So, your flesh spends all its time trying to convince the mind to agree with him.
But, if your mind has an attitude like Christ, it will never agree. If your mind is burdened to fulfill the will of God, it doesn’t have time to listen to the flesh.
Peter’s conclusion is that an attitude like Christ leads us toward God’s will. So, how do you fulfill God’s will for your life? ATTITUDE!!!
The Apostle Paul said the same thing.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
If you renew your mind to pick up His attitude, then you can test and approve God’s will. God’s will is not something you can know. It’s something you test and approve by faith.
So, if you want to see transformative change in your life, then you need to renew your mind by God’s Word. Only then will your life have a true change of direction.
Question: How have you seen the Word of God changing you so far?
© 2025 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 