I was reading through 1 Peter this morning and was struck by how much our mind and our thinking was emphasized. Mind appears in every chapter of 1 Peter...
1 Peter 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.
1 Peter 2:19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
We are told three times to be "sober-minded", to prepare our minds for action, to be mindful of God when suffering, to have unity of mind, and a humble mind. From 1 Peter it looks like to me that having a "mind" in these ways is to have an eternal perspective. Prepare our minds for action by setting them on Christ's return, think of God when suffering, being humble and being on guard. It is true that our actions are a direct result of where our hearts are, but as believers we have been given the power through Christ's divine power (2 Pet 1:3-4) to control our thoughts and speak truth to our souls and hearts. This does not mean that there is not a battle with our flesh (Rom. 7, Gal. 5), but God's power is greater than our sin. On the other hand, for the unbeliever, he does not have power over his thoughts and heart because he is a slave to sin (Rom. 6). What good news and news I need to hear this morning as I prepare to go to work; Christ's power is greater than my heart and has in fact regenerated my heart, and I can control my thoughts through His power for he has been pleased to supply me with this power! Oh, that I would take advantage of this great gift more and more!
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