Suffering in the Flesh

I’ve been struggling with just about everything. So FATHER lead me to a post on TikTok of a person reading 1 Peter 4:1-6. It got my attention.

RGT (Revised Geneva Translation)

1 Therefore, as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind. For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

2 so that henceforth (as much time as remains in the flesh) he should not live after the lusts of man, but after the will of God.

3 For in the past of our lives, it may have sufficed for us to work after the same desires as the Gentiles: walking in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, in gluttony, carousing, and in abominable idolatries.

4 So, it seems strange to them that you do not run with them to the same excess of debauchery, and they speak evil of you.

5 They shall give account to Him Who is ready to judge quick and dead.

6 For to this purpose was the Gospel also preached to the dead: so that they might be condemned according to man in the flesh but might live according to God in the Spirit.

This is the part that stood out to me

1 Therefore, as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind. For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so that henceforth (as much time as remains in the flesh) he should not live after the lusts of man, but after the will of God.

Let’s dig in to the word “arm:”

arm

• noun
  • 5 : POWER, MIGHT
• verb
  • 1 : to furnish or equip with weapons
  • 2 : to furnish with something that strengthens or protects
    • arming citizens with the right to vote
  • 3 : to equip or ready for action or operation
    • arm a bomb
• intransitive verb
  • : to prepare oneself for struggle or resistance
    • arm for combat

It looks like we are being called to prepare ourselves for struggle and resistance; not just from the flesh itself, but from the world; from family, and friends, and others who will not understand what we are doing. Why?

1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man does not perceive the things of the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Examples of fleshly struggles we need to face are worldly things such as food, ambition, and other personal desires; as well as being obedient to HIM, while facing questions and criticism from the world.

We will face resistance from the world, which is why we are called to persevere, not get tired, to have the courage to confront and not conform nor give in. For if we give in to the world, then we are allowing ourselves to be beat or lose battles that need to be won.