13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-16
Continuing in 1 Peter 1, we are encouraged to set our hope on future grace by preparing our minds, warned against being led about by our passions, and called to holiness.
Therefore
It’s here again, ye olde therefore! We covered this helpful word in the study from Therefore: The Quest:Day 6.0. Therefore means we had best look back to discover what the author is referring to before we jump into what comes next. The gifts that Peter mentions prior to these verses (at least in the ESV) fall under the subheading, Born Again to a Living Hope. (1 Peter 1:3-12). The subheading title does a great job of summing up the basis for Peter pulling out the old therefore as he begins verse 13.
Now, fact is, it took me four days to cover those verses. Even then I am certain I only scratched the surface. If you would like to read those studies they can be found in Day 21.0:Mercy, Day 22.0:Rejoice, Day 23.0:Believe, and Day 24.0:Longing.
Preparing our minds
So, in light of the living hope God provides us, Peter urges us first to prepare our minds. Paul, too, exhorted us to renew our minds. He tells us to set our minds on the things of the Spirit and not the things of the flesh.
I love just feeling it, you know, man?
When addressing the mind, I often read or hear well-meaning folks quote Psalms 46:10. Be still and know I am God. Actually, they usually say “…I am the Lord.” But, that’s neither here nor there. They also usually add something about the still small voice of God. (1 Kings (KJV)) Now these verses are wonderful. There is real value in silence and meditation on the word. It is good to grasp hold of a view of God that encompasses peace, stillness, and quietness of heart. I am not going to rail against one part of scripture, only to emphasize another. Let me go on the record as saying, I love the two passage mentioned.
This is war
But, I do want to ask, is that what Peter is encouraging here? Peter is not calling us to sit at home in a closet and connect with the universe. He is not asking us to close our eyes and try to feel the presence of God. He says, in light of the promise of a living hope and salvation prepare your minds for action. How can we prepare our minds for action – for war even – if we are sequestered and focused on feelings?
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6
Christian, suit up!
Instead, we must suit up for battle. I believe Peter here is telling us to suit up. We do not live out a private spiritual life that begins and ends during our morning bathroom break. Paul, in Ephesians, tells us to put on the whole armor of God. Why? Because there is a real war raging around us! Paul tells the Corinthians what we are really facing. We have to do combat, and usually we first meet the enemy in our minds.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:10-13
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
The battle is real. We must prepare – armor on, sword in hand – to engage the enemy. We must be ready to take our thoughts captive, destroy strongholds, and stand against the schemes of the devil. This is the sort of thing Peter has in mind as he tells us to prepare our minds for action.
Rascally time, it always gets away
Well, the Christmas holidays are upon us, and I am so short of time. I have so much to do to prepare, and then a long drive to make. But, there’s no harm in spending two or three more days in these excellent verses. I hope you will join me in preparing our minds for the daily battle. One last thought before I head out. I would encourage all of us to prepare our minds for battle each day. But, we need only focus on that day’s battles. I am not sure if it does us much good aiming to prepare our minds for great battles in the future. World catastrophes, mass persecutions, Armageddon, etc., they will happen some day. But, they are not what is right in front of us. This reminds me of something Christ said, and also something else Dr. Jordan Peterson has said.
Bear with me
Dr. Jordan Peterson was once confronted by a young lady in Australia about his focus. The gist of it is this. The young lady was super concerned about climate change, national living wages, etc. She didn’t understand why Dr. Peterson was focused on the mundane everyday activities of individuals. He believes people who accomplish nothing in their day-to-day lives find it convenient to latch on to national or global crises. It is easier to feel good about yourself when you do nothing useful each day, if you identify big issue activist. Especially so when the issue won’t be solved for generations.
Prepare to fight today’s battles
Jesus said this: do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. I believe we should apply this maxim to our preparations for battle. What battles will you have to face in the distant future? Who knows? Also, with all due respect, who cares?
We have a battle to fight today. Are you suited up? Did you put on your armor this morning? Have you prepared to take every thought captive today? Is your shield of faith ready to withstand the schemes of the devil today? Is your mind prepared for action today?
