Dennis Edwards
A Study in 1 Peter 4 & 5
1 Peter 4:12 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fire trial which is to try you, as if some strange thing happened unto you."
The trials we have with our own children and personal family or those we work with closely or our neighbours, or fellow students, are indeed "fiery trials." Why do we call them fiery? It is because they affect us so much emotionally. A death of a child or young adult, a young family member coming out as trans or gay, or becoming atheist and speaking vociferously against the things of God and or our faith, a cantankerous neighbour or workmate or employer, ridicule at school because one’s faith; these types of situations can very easily cause us emotional upheaval and bring us discouragement. However, Apostle Peter tells us to "rejoice" and not let our trials bring us down or cause us to lose our equilibrium. He says,
1 Peter 4:13 "But rejoice, in as much as you are partakers of Christ's suffering; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
Apostle Peter is talking specifically about when we are attacked for our faith and others are speaking evil of us. It hurts most when it comes from those who are closest to us. Peter is saying we shouldn't let it get us discouraged, because the joy of the Lord is our strength. Rejoice! Be glad with exceeding joy! Fight for joy. Fight to be happy. We shouldn't let negative emotions overwhelm us. When we are experiencing these trials as a result of our faith for standing for the cause of truth and love, we are participating in Jesus’ suffering. As such, we should rejoice.
1 Peter 4:14 "If you are reproached (which means
criticized) for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the
spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part (those that are
criticizing you) He (God) is (being) evil spoken of, but on your part He (God)
is (being) glorified."
When people are criticizing us for our Godly belief system, they are really criticizing God. Therefore, we should be happy, rejoice, and be glad!
1 Peter 4:16 "Yet if any suffer as a Christian, let him
not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
When we are faced with these fiery trials or emotional battles as a result of being attacked by our loved ones, or workmates, or fellow students for our beliefs, we should use the weapon of praise and thanksgiving. We, also, may need to reflect on whether we are really being attacked for our faith, or could it be for mistakes and, or sins we have committed. We may need to confess, or apologize and make things right with those involved, before we can go on to improve our relationship with them.
1 Peter 4:19 "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,
not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”
Both Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul tell us that suffering for Jesus is part of our job as His Ambassadors. Since God is ultimately in control, we should trust that He will work whatever we are going through for His glory. He is a faithful and just Creator who loves us and those around us. He has promised that His sheep will hear His voice and follow Him. Not one of them that chooses to follow Jesus shall God allow to fall out of His hand. Our part is to hold onto our loved ones and friends spiritually through prayer, good communication, and love. We may also need to change any of our old belief systems or behaviours that may need changing. The truth is, that it is possible to build better relationships with our loved ones, workmates, and or friends, through God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that lives and works in us and them. For God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.
1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand
of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
Walking humbly before God and others, especially those of our own family, and our workmates or schoolmates, helps greatly to build better relationships and have good communication. Humility is part of the formular for victory.
1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for
you.”
We can cast all our anxieties and fears and problems up to the bosom of God through prayer and thanksgiving knowing God is bigger than our problem and will bring the solution and the victory in His time.
1 Peter 5:9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist
steadfast in the faith.”
Apostle Peter’s formular for victory is to humble ourselves before God showing our utter dependence on Him, and then to resist the devil. Apostle James uses the same formular when he describes how to draw closer to God. He says,
James 4:6b, 7 & 10 “God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the
humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you.” “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you
up.”
Humility brings us closer to God and then, with God’s help we can resist the devil.
1 John 4:4b “For greater is he (Jesus) that is in you, than he
(the devil) that is in the world.”
1 John 3:8b “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
The devil has already been
defeated on the cross. We need not believe his lies nor submit to them, but
rather resist them in Jesus’ name.
The devil is the one who is attacking us through the words and reproaches of our family members, workmates or school friends. If we resist him through the power of the Holy Spirit by quoting God’s Word, by praying out loud, or by vocally praising; he will flee. We need to fight the good fight of faith. A passive war will not win. The enemy is trying to devour us and destroy our faith through these verbal and emotional attacks from those closest to us. Do not submit to them. Be a vigilant soldier and fight with the spiritual weapons at your disposal!
When Jesus walked the earth, the
Devil used the words of Apostle Peter to attack Jesus. Peter had rebuked Jesus
for saying that he must go up to Jerusalem “and suffer many things of the
elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed.” Matthew 16:21.
Peter said,
“Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” Matthew 16:22. “But he (Jesus) turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savours not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Matthew 16:23.
Jesus called Peter, Satan, because Apostle Peter was being used by Satan to spread falsehood and was speaking contrary to God’s will. From that experience of being used by Satan, Peter understood how words and reproaches from a friend or loved one can be a strong attack from the enemy. Hurtful words can cause us to be discouraged emotionally. It is often those that are closest to us that injure us the most. We read in the Psalm of David:
Psalm 55:12-14 “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then
I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself
against me; then I would have hid myself from him. But it was thou, a man mine
equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and
walked unto the house of God in company.”
Jesus had warned his disciples that a man’s foes would be those of his own household. Matthew 10:36. Like God tested Abraham to see if he would put his family above God, He tests us also, to see if we are going to put Him first, or put the feelings and desires of our family or friends first. Jesus said,
“He that loves father or mother
more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than
me is not worthy of me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me
is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37-38
Abraham passed the test and put God first. God therefore said unto him, “now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from me.” Genesis 22:12b. If we put God first, He will bless us.
1 Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
God has promised to comfort those that suffer for his sake. He has promised He will not give us more than we are able to bear. Apostle Peter is assuring us that God will use the suffering He allows in our lives to make us stronger, mature soldiers for Jesus. Peter may be remembering the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
We can’t get around it. God wants us to rejoice and be exceeding glad in the face of the reproaches we suffer for His sake. If we have the right perspective and understand what’s happening, we can guard our emotional responses and rise above them through praise and the joy of the Lord. The devil wants to sadden and weaken us through the attacks we receive from those closest to us. But God’s word says,
Nehemiah 8:10 “Sorrow not, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice…., and again I say, rejoice.”
John 16:33 “Be of good cheer.”
Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and of good courage.”
Colossians 2:7 “Abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
James1:2 “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (or trials).”
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God which passes all understanding will fill your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Psalm 5:11 “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
Psalm 32:11 “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you over flow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice evermore!”
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