1 Peter 4:1-2
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

These 2 verses, are so completely counter culture to what we have been taught in 2020’s America. We are told that the goal of everything is happiness, if anything is remotely uncomfortable we should fix it, and the idea of suffering 
is absolutely unacceptable.

Peter is saying that when you choose to embrace the hardship of avoiding sin and press in to the suffering, you deny your flesh of it’s desires and you avoid sin altogether.

1 Peter 4:3
3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

Debauchery - a throwing off of sexual restraint, or basically doing whatever you want sexually

Lust - a passionate longing or craving for someone sexually

Drunkenness - Losing control due to alcohol or another substance

Orgies - Sleeping with a lot of people and excusing sexual behavior becuase it's cultural

Carousing - partying

Detestable Idolatry - idolizing something so much that it takes over your desires

So, why do we stay away from these things? Because of what we saw earlier: So we “do not live the rest of our earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God”



1 Peter 4:4
4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

We are going to be chastised for not joining in with lost people on the things they do, but whether they believe in Jesus or not, they will have to give account to God for their actions.

1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

So, how do we respond?

• Pray
• Love each other deeply
• Offer hospitality with a good attitude
• Use your gifts
• Speak Godly things over each other
• Serve each other with God’s strength

… so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.