August 29

Peter was fully aware of the inner war between the natural man and the spirit man. He had fought this battle and lost at a crucial time in his discipleship. When Jesus was arrested and the young girl accused Peter of being associated with Him, he denied with an oath, “I know not this man of whom you speak!” (Mark 14:71)

This was all the more bitter a disappointment to Peter because Jesus had told him when he declared that he would follow Him anywhere and endure any suffering for Him, that good as his intentions may be, Peter would deny the Lord three times before the rooster crowed the next morning (Mark 14:30).

Because Peter knew the anguish of soul that comes with failure to live up to the high expectations we place upon ourselves, he counseled our spiritual man in the way to gain victory over our natural man. His insight, stated in I Peter 4:1-2, would be well heeded by all who desire to walk uprightly before the Living God.

Here Peter says, “Arm yourselves with the mind of Christ for He suffered in the flesh…and can equip you so you will no longer live after the desires of the natural man but after the will of God.” The One who died for our sin can give our spirit man victory when he battles the natural man over our proclivity to walk in sin!