How to Resist the Temptation to Walk Away from the Faith

The temptation to sin to escape an uncomfortable situation is immense! Peter is giving some practical help for resisting the temptation to abandon the faith.

The irony is that short term pleasure = long term pain. And long term pleasure and satisfaction and comfort in Christ comes with short term suffering.

So Peter is urging the disciples to resist temptation. Ultimately, simplistically we all want to live a life without pressure and stress and struggle! Often we feel that the way to numb or remove or not feel pressure and discomfort is to give in to temptation. But Peter reminds the believers that there is a greater reward for those who resist temptation and finish well in the faith.

Main Text:1 Peter 4:1-6

[1] Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [2] so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. [3] For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. [4] With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; [5] but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. (ESV)