Arm Yourself With An attitude
There are many Scriptures that are written with a military theme or implication. 1 Peter 4:1 is such a one. "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."
I like the Amplified Bible version of this verse. "So since Christ suffered in the flesh (for us, for you), arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose (patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God). For whoever has suffered in the flesh (having the mind of Christ) has done with (intentional) sin -- has stopped pleasing himself and the world and pleases God."
The word "arm" is a military term. The implication is to take up a weapon. The dictionary definition of "arm" is "To furnish with weapons; provide with whatever will add strength or security; fortify." But with an attitude? What kind of weapon is that? We want something more tangible, something we can grab hold of, lay our hands on!!
What is the attitude we are to arm ourselves with? It is to submit our will to God and be willing to please Him at all costs. When Jesus was praying in the garden before he was arrested, he prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Matt. 26:42. Jesus was not looking forward to experiencing the agony of the cross, and foremost, having the sins of the whole world piled on him, but he submitted his will to his Father's will. Heb. 12:2. "He humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross." Phil. 2:8. His attitude was that he was going to do the Father's will no matter what suffering he had to endure.
Taking up an arm is to be prepared before you go into battle. You don't wait until you are in the midst of a fight and then suddenly reach for something to fight with. You have your armor in place and your weapon in your hand. I think many Christians fail because they are not prepared when the enemy attacks. They have not previously determined that they are not going to submit to the temptations of the enemy. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were threatened with being thrown into the blazing furnace, they didn't have to suddenly decide what their decision and reply was going to be to the king's order of bowing down and worshiping his statue. They already knew what their reply was going to be. They said the God they served was able to save them but even if he didn't they would not serve his gods or worship the image he had set up. They had predetermined that they would not bow down to the image. Dan. 3:17-18.
How about you? Have you determined that you are not going to give in to temptation when it arises? I read about a young college student who gave into the pressure of having sex with her boyfriend. Her attitude was that she had to lose her virginity some time. She had not predetermined that she would stay pure no matter what pressure was put on her.
There are a lot of attitudes that we should not have, but this is one that is of utmost importance. Arm yourself, fortify yourself, with the attitude that no matter what the temptation is, you are going to make the decision that pleases the Lord. There is a saying, "To be forewarned is to be forearmed." The forewarning is, you will be tempted in some area at some time. Be forearmed and strengthened with an attitude. The same attitude that Jesus had.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Job 16-17, Habakkuk 3, 2 Peter 1-2
God is good all the time,
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