1 Peter 4:1-2 ¹Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves with the same way of thinking, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ²so as no longer to live for the rest of the time in the flesh for human passions but for the will of God.

The theme of suffering continues, with Christ as the primary example of enduring through suffering. In the next section, Peter points out positive outcomes of suffering. Suffered (pathontos) is a causal participle that shows how Jesus’ endurance makes our own endurance possible. His victory ensures our victory. The focus is on thinking or one’s attitude. The word used here (ennoian) can mean insight, awareness, or mindset. Christ’s attitude was to remain faithful and not compromise his righteousness even while going through severe physical suffering and eventual death. His attitude of faithful submission to the Father’s plan led to our salvation.

When experiencing suffering, we should develop two attitudes. First, we should have the same attitude of suffering as Christ so that others can experience salvation through our testimony. People will look at how we face our challenges and see that we do not compromise our convictions but have a peace and joy that are beyond what this world offers. This may make them wonder about the hope we have within us.

Second, enduring through suffering shows that the world and its enticements have no control over us. Our physical bodies and all their desires (sometimes expressed as instincts) have been sanctified to God. Our bodies are no longer controlled by and enslaved to sin. Suffering helps us realize that there is more to life than pleasures of the body. We are spiritual beings first and our home is in heaven. Being bound to this world to keep happy, healthy, and wealthy is deceiving. All this can be taken away through suffering. If we allow, God can turn our suffering into victories.

Suffering like Christ for being righteous has a way of purifying our faith, like gold in fire (1:6-7). Our faith is strengthened by our need to trust in God more because the securities offered by this world are often taken away. Those who have experienced suffering in their lives often have stronger faith than those who have enjoyed relative peace and security in this life because their faith has been tested and proven genuine. Wealth is one of those securities that can get in the way of faith. Jesus said that it is more difficult for a rich person to get into heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24). The rich person puts his or her trust in wealth and what it provides. Financial security can provide some peace, but this peace is shaky and can be taken at a moment.

Sadly, suffering is often required for us to realize we need to put our trust in God more than things of this world. Peter goes as far as to point out that suffering has the potential of keeping us from evil human desires. As verse 1 indicates, suffering in the body helps us overcome the problem of sin. It changes our focus from relying on self, which is an open door to temptation and sin, to focusing on God and the basic necessities that God gives us. Our strength is found in God. Our desires are shifted from doing things to please ourselves to doing what God desires for us. This message is difficult to accept and live by. No one by nature seeks out suffering. By nature, we are protective and selfish. But God can change our nature so that protective selfishness becomes the means to express love to others.