Roughly thirty years ago, my late husband and I had recently rescued an Akita/Rottweiler mixed puppy we kept outside.
Our other two dogs were Pomeranians that spent most of their time inside.
One day, when we were all in the backyard, the new puppy started zooming happily towards my late husband. The male Pomeranian quickly took up a stance between the puppy and my late husband and started barking to take control of the larger puppy.
As the larger puppy approached, one of his paws accidentally tagged the Pom, sending the Pom into rolling somersaults. The look on the Pom’s face after recovering from the somersaults showed wounded pride. He then slowly slinked to the backdoor with his tail down, wanting to hide.
From that moment on, that Pom avoided the Akita/Rottweiler puppy.
I’ll share the rest of this story about our dog’s wounded attitude adjustment in relation to our study of 1 Peter 4:1-11 at the end of the post.
Meanwhile, let’s see what Peter has to share about attitude adjustments.
Attitude Adjustment for Jesus Followers
1 Peter 4:1-11
Keep in mind that Peter is primarily writing to Jesus’ followers living under persecution for their faith as you read these verses and answer the questions below.
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.[i]
- How did Christ suffer in the flesh? (See 1 Peter 1:18-19)
- Why did Christ suffer? (See 1 Peter 1:20-21)
- How does Christ’s example provide the reason for our own attitude adjustment towards suffering as Jesus’ followers?
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.[ii]
- How does Peter describe the goal and attitude of those who do not follow Jesus?
- What is Peter saying to his readers with the phrase, “for the time that is past suffices?”
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.[iii]
- Why are Peter’s readers maligned after changing their lifestyle to follow Jesus?
- How does Peter encourage his readers about this?
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. [iv]
- Keeping in mind Peter’s aim is to encourage his readers who are under persecution for their faith, what is the point of this verse?
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.[v]
- Why does Peter use the phrase “the end of all things is at hand” as a reason for self-control and sober-mindedness?
- How would the lack of self-control or sober mindedness hinder one’s prayer life?
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.[vi]
- Keeping this verse in context, how can Peter’s readers show their unity with other Jesus’ followers within their persecuted community?
- What does the phrase “one another” remind us about these relationships?
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.[vii]
This verse likely refers to opening one’s home freely to teachers, prophets, or apostles while briefly in their area. These travelers were typically coming to encourage, instruct, and pass on letters like this one from Peter to fellow believers.
- Why might grumbling about opening one’s home to these travelers be an issue during a time of persecution?
- How does 1 Peter 4:1-8 support Peter’s instruction in this verse?
- What other ways could this verse apply to all fellow believers?
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.[viii]
- What two broad categories does Peter give as examples of gifts from God?
- Explain the purpose of the gifts God gives to His stewards.
- How does this purpose support Peter’s instruction to “arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” from 1 Peter 4:1?
Attitude Adjustment for Jesus Followers
Application for Today
If you were a child when you became a Jesus follower, how has your lifestyle reflected Peter’s teaching over time?
Did you become a believer as a teen or adult? If so, how does your current lifestyle reflect your relationship with Jesus compared to before you became a Jesus follower?
How are you using the gifts God gave you to glorify Him?
Follow Up to the Pom’s Attitude Adjustment Story
About six years after our male Pom had his pride wounded by our Akita/Rottweiler puppy, we had moved to a new location that had a significantly larger backyard.
One day, the Pom started barking at a dog that was outside our yard’s fence.
The Akita/Rottweiler, now full grown, heard the Pom from the other side of this large yard and immediately came running and barking towards where the Pom was.
Initially the Pom panicked, thinking the Akita/Rottweiler was coming at him. But as the Akita/Rottweiler got closer, a look of relief and joy came over the Pom’s face.
Why this change of attitude?
The Pom realized the Akita/Rottweiler was coming to aid the cause of warning the other dog to stay away.
From that moment on, the male Pom no longer avoided the Akita/Rottweiler. Instead, he regarded the Akita/Rottweiler as his own personal bodyguard.
Again, you’re asking, what does this have to do with 1 Peter 4:1-11?
The Akita/Rottweiler didn’t intend to wound the Pom’s pride six years earlier. He was just in zoomie puppy mode and figured the little Pom would move out of the way.
But then, over time, as the Akita/Rottweiler became an adult dog who took on the role of the family caretaker, the relationship between these two dogs blossomed.
I see a connection to 1 Peter 4:1-11 in that sometimes the Lord allows us to suffer harm to correct our attitudes of arrogant pride as believers.
In addition, these things may occur so that we will learn to keep our minds attuned to living for eternity as a witness to all around us.
When has God allowed something that caused you to somersault into wounded pride?
Was this situation because of intentional or unintentional harm by the other party?
If it was intentional harm, how can 1 Peter 4:1-11 help you put boundaries in place for protection?
If it was unintentional harm, how can 1 Peter 4:1-11 help mend the relationship between you and the other person?
What animal stories do you have that illustrate a scriptural principal? Share it in the comment section below.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[i] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:1–2.
[ii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:3.
[iii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:4–5.
[iv] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:6.
[v] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:7.
[vi] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:8.
[vii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:9.
[viii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:10–11.