Grace Group Study - Battle for the Mind
Battle of the Mind
1 Peter 1:3-16
1Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pet. 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 1Pet. 1:5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In these opening verses, Peter is putting the believer’s mind at ease concerning our most important relationship on earth, our relationship with God. God’s mercy is the reason we rejoice. We are not receiving the wrath we deserve, but instead, an “inheritance!” Any indication that we must earn our forgiveness or our future home with the Father is put to rest in the opening of Peter’s letter. To make sure there is no question concerning our relationship with God, Peter continues:
1Pet. 1:5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
QUESTION: How are these verses an encouragement to you?
Peter continues to write that the reality of our salvation and inheritance is our posture of joy:
1Pet. 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
1Pet. 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1Pet. 1:8 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,
1Pet. 1:9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Peter says that our struggles in this life will be a test of our faith, but faith in what? I believe it is pointing back to verses 3-5. Do we still believe God will be faithful to fulfill his promise of salvation and the future of our inheritance even though we are struggling now? The more we struggle in this life points us to need for the next life. The hope we have is not pointing us to relief now but when he returns.
QUESTION: Why is it so hard to see past our pain and suffering and look to what Christ has promised for us in the new Kingdom?
1Pet. 1:13 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.
We are in a battle, but this battle takes place in the mind. This is why Peter calls the believer to prepare their mind, that is, be ready to do something spiritual with your thoughts. And in order for your mind to be effective, it can’t be intoxicated.
QUESTION: What do you think Satan uses to intoxicate our minds?
1Pet. 1:13 ...set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Peter points us to hope, not fear. We are not watching over our thoughts because of fear of what God might do. We are protecting our minds so that we do not slip back into believing the lies of our former life. Read the next verses:
1Pet. 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 1Pet. 1:15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
1Pet. 1:16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Lazy intoxicated minds drag us back into our old habits with our old desires that do not come from God but from the flesh and Satan’s lies.
QUESTION: What are ways we can protect what influences our minds in our homes?
When we think of protecting our minds and the minds around us (friends and family), why is this important to Peter? Because the truth of the gospel is the only power to save sinners from their slavery to sin. When we become intoxicated with the world or lazy with our thoughts, we can lose sight of the darkness that fills our world.
Sinners don’t need help. They need a cure. That cure can only come from the truth of the gospel. This is why we keep our hope resting on the gospel. It protects us from the lie of the world that joy, salvation, or rest can come from anything other than Jesus Christ.
QUESTION: How can we help each other keep our minds focused on the mission given to the church to spread the gospel?