We’re continuing to go through the book of First Peter. In today’s post, I’ll start chapter 4. But we have to realize that this chapter cannot be taken all by itself. It rests completely upon the principles of Chapter 3.
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
In these two verses we see the key for living a radically righteous lifestyle. We talked about what this lifestyle looked like in chapter 3. Now, the apostle deals with how to obtain it.
Peter tells us that Christ was passionately burdened over us in the flesh. At least that’s what the original Greek wording means. He tells us that we must be armed with that same attitude.
So, to put it bluntly, you must be armed with attitude. The word, armed, is a military term. It means to be fitted with weaponry. When someone has an attitude, they can be dangerous.
It’s time for God’s people to be spiritually armed and dangerous. The question is; how do you arm yourself with attitude? The simple fact is that you pick up the attitudes of those you hang around with.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:5-8 NIV
Jesus Christ is the great example for us to follow. He laid down His glory and took the role of a servant. What could motivate someone to do this? Attitude!!!
That’s why picking up the Lord’s attitude is so important.
We’re told throughout Scripture that this is God’s will for us.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds…
Ephesians 4:22-23 NIV
The Lord wants our minds to have a new attitude. Literally, that word is wind. God wants to change the direction that the wind of our mind is blowing. He wants us to be burdened with the same thing that burdens Him.
That’s the attitude the Lord is looking for in us. He wants us to arm ourselves with the same burden that He has. It will totally renew our thought processes. Only then will we have an effective impact on the world around us.
I’ll continue this thought in my next post.
Question: How much of Christ’s attitude do you see in yourself?
© 2025 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 