Are You in a Fog (1 Peter 4:7)
Are You in a Fog? 1 Peter 4
By: Ben Fronczek
This past week I read a story of what it was like for a resident of Poland when the Nazis came in and occupied their land. Someone interviewed a man by the name of Charles Pierce. Here is a section of that article:
“In 1939, Pierce was teenager looking to start his life as an adult. His father, a successful businessman, wasn’t overly concerned when the Nazis first invaded Poland.
“My father was comfortable. No one expected things to change so quickly or so horribly,” Pierce said.
It took Germany eight days to occupy Poland. It wasn’t long before Pierce’s hometown fell under Nazi influence. Soldiers marched prisoners down the town’s main street, right past his father’s shop.
Soon, the Nazis came for Pierce’s family. Armed teenagers ordered them out onto the streets, stripping them of their material possessions and handing the family business over to a Nazi. The family moved into a newly established ghetto where 20,000 people lived in a few square blocks.
“They saw us as sub-human. Soldiers used us for target practice,” Pierce explained. Pierce would be transferred through multiple ghettos, forced-labor camps and death camps throughout Poland and Germany…”
This man would go on to talk about horrible things to follow that he saw and experienced that I don’t even feel comfortable talking about in our setting here today.
I thank God that so far none of us have ever had to experience such cruelty by and occupying force. But if that were to happen. What advice would God want to share with us. How would He want us to live and treat one another.
To put it into a historical context, as Peter wrote his first letter, we need to remember that, as Peter wrote these words, it was on the eve of the destruction of the Jewish state by the Romans. Although the Romans had already occupied and controlled the Holy Lands, soon the Temple along with the Levitical system, and the Jewish economy, and many Jews would come to a brutal end with the destruction and fall of Jerusalem. Unfortunately the Roman persecutors would not distinguish between the Jews and Christians. They would also suffer the consequences of the doom soon to befall the Jewish state. And what we have next is what Peter writes to prepare and advise fellow Christians concerning the end. Think about that as we look at what he writes here.
“7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
We may not be entering into an age of persecution as these people were, but Peter’s advice is just as relevant for Christians of any age.
In the next few lessons I would like to look at the advice Peter gives here in this text and make it practical for us today. First of all let’s look at what he suggests in verse 7:
#1. Be clear minded I’d like to ask you, what fogs up your brain? Are there things that mess with your mind, that distract you, that get you off track? Maybe you let certain people or certain events or circumstances get the best of you and you let it mess with your judgment. There are all kinds of things that mess with our mind.(for example, worry, work, fear, fatigue, entertainment, loneliness, a bad relationship with someone, and so many other things, It’s all about focusing on the wrong priorities in life).
So how does one clear up their mind? Well first of all we may need to clean up our act (it’s like cleaning a dirty window or lens). There may be things in our life we just may need to get rid of; maybe a sinful practice, maybe you need to stop watching certain programs on TV, or stay away from certain people, whatever is having a negative influence on how you look at things. And then we need to focus on the right things. Get our priorities right and do what is right. In Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
How often do you think about or focus on good things like this? Do you look at the cup ½ empty or ½ full? Balance is also important. Getting proper rest and having a healthy diet also makes a big difference on how clear we can think. That leads to Peter’s next recommendation….
#2 Being Self Controlled How much self control do you have? And you might say ‘Well it depends on what you are talking about. Certain things I can resist but other things, well, I struggle with’.
You want to know something, I hate being a slave to my own desires. And I go on these rants where I decide I am not going to eat this or do that. Sometimes I can do it and other time I’m too weak and give in and that frustrates me.
I’m not quite sure if that’s what Peter is talking about here, rather, I think Peter is emphasizing having a sound mind and a sober disposition because of that which is about to befall them (trials and severe persecution). Why? Because he tells that they need to be clear minded and in control….
So that they can pray. Minds that are foggy, preoccupied, and out of control have a hard time focusing on Prayer. Believe me I know. When we become self absorbed by so many different things it’s hard to pray. But prayer is important, very important. Talking to our Lord and our God is necessary if we are going to remain strong. Prayer is something that we can do to help us keep our strength up, our faith strong especially when those storms hit.
Do you remember what the apostle Paul wrote the Philippians while in prison? In Philippians 4:4f he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Isn’t that what we want; some peace of mind no matter what the circumstance? The question I have for you today is, ‘Have you been Praying? Have you been talking to God enough?’’
So what are some things that we can do to improve our prayers life? Here are just a few suggestions:
a) Have a regular time and place of prayer. For each of us that time and place will be different, with the exception of those times when we pray together. Paul said that we should pray without ceasing. But I think that’s more like being in a prayerful spirit at all times. But I also believe there are times that we should set aside for some specific prayer.
I‘ve heard how some people pray in the shower in the morning after they get up. Others take a cup of coffee sit in a favorite chair read some scripture and then pray. You can pray in the barn, or on the drive to work each day. I think it’s important to have specific times to pray; preferably more than once a day.
For many of us if we don’t make a plan to do something we won’t. Next:
b) I think it’s also important to have a list of specific things we are going to pray for.
– A time for praise and thanksgiving.
– We also need to express repentance and ask for forgiveness
– We need to ask for insight, help and guidance
– And of course pray for others and their specific needs
Maybe you can follow certain formulas to remember what to pray for like ACTS:
A = Adoration C = Confession, T = Thanksgiving, S = Supplication
In praying we also need to remember that we are talking to God and not just doing an exercise. It is important to strive for a relationship with God in prayer and not just develop a ritual.
If we can learn to clear our minds and get a little self control so that we can pray like this on a daily basis, I can’t help but believe we will have the peace of mind that Paul promised those early Christians; even when trials come our way.
Challenge: After hearing a sermon, the president Lincoln companion asked, “What did you think of tonight’s sermon?” “Well,” Lincoln responded, “it was brilliantly conceived, biblical, relevant, and well presented.” “So, it was a great sermon?” “No,” Lincoln replied. “It failed. It failed because it did not ask us to do something great.” Inspiring communicators always expect a lot from their listeners.
My challenge for you today is this:
#1 Honestly ask yourself if there is anything that is getting to you, that is preventing you from having a clear mind and do something about it.
#2 Think about some things you personally can do to improve your prayer life.
#3. Decided where and when you plan on praying
#4. Decide what you are going to pray about and keeping it fresh
#5. Don’t let your prayers become just an exercise; use your prayers to talk to God to develop a closer relationship with Him
If you actually make a personal commitment to do this I promise you, you won’t be sorry. You will be blessed by God Himself.
For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566