How does God react to bad behavior?
(1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:8-11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10) Blog July 3-09, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Although God has given us many pleasant places and experiences in life, he also leads us into trials and among enemies. This is not meant to discourage or defeat us but rather to strengthen us for if he is our Shepherd he will comfort us with his rod and his staff and supply us the food of his Word, the grace of his Spirit, and the blood of Jesus. Depending on him in trial will bring us off victorious.
Good Behavior
1. To whom does Peter write his first epistle? Peter writes his first epistle to born-again Christians who are elect of God through sanctification of the Spirit & the blood of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:1-3).
2. What does Peter tell true believers that they are to expect? Peter tells true believers that they are to expect fiery trials because they follow Jesus (1 Pet. 4:12-14).
3. For what reason do fiery trials come to Christians? Fiery trials come to Christians to test them, to show them that their faith is genuine, & to strengthen their faith (1 Pet. 1:7; 4:12).
4. According to 1 Peter 4, how are Christians to react to fiery trials? Christians are to rejoice when fiery trials come, for they demonstrate that they are suffering with Jesus & will be glorified with him & that even now they are giving glory to Jesus, God the Father, & the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 4:13-16).
5. According to 1 Peter 5, when Satan tries to eat us up, how are Christians to respond? While humbling ourselves before God & casting all our cares upon him, we are to be sober & diligent to resist the devil, knowing that he afflicts other Christians in the same way (1 Pet. 5:6-9).
Bad Behavior
6. Besides godly behavior, what else can bring fiery trials on Christians? Bad behavior, sin, also brings fiery trials on Christians (1 Pet. 4:15).
7. How does God react to the bad behavior of Christians? When Christians sin, God rebukes & punishes them, for he loves them & wants them to overcome (Heb. 12:4-6; Rev. 3:19).
8. What sins does Peter list that should never be part of a Christian’s behavior? Peter says Christians should never suffer on account of murder, theft, evildoing, or for being busybodies in other people’s matters (1 Pet. 4:15).
9. How does God react to the persistent bad behavior of unbelievers? When unbelievers persistently sin, God gives them up to their own evil desires. This happens in three stages: first to sexual promiscuity, then to homosexual promiscuity, & finally to a reprobate mind for which there is no cure (Rom. 1:18-28).
Special Circumstances
10. What added circumstances, besides just being a Christian, bring fiery trials to God’s people? Jeremiah pictures God’s people when adultery, lying, & fear of speaking the truth have become commonplace & says that God will bring fiery trials on them to avenge his holy name (Jer. 9:2-9).
11. When God’s people have forsaken his law how does he deal with them? God uses the method prescribed by Moses of giving bitter water to a wife suspected of adultery & he scatters his people among the nations sending a sword after them (Num. 5:11-31; Jer. 9:13-16).
12. Why was the Apostle Paul allowed to suffer “a thorn in his flesh”? God allows those with special gifts & revelations from him to be bothered by special trials in order to keep them humble (2 Cor. 12:7).
13. What did God tell Paul when he prayed three times that the “thorn” be removed from his flesh? God told Paul that his grace was sufficient for him, for his strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 7:8-10).
14. What is becoming obvious about the fiery trials that God allows to overtake Christians? It is obvious that God intends for us to have fiery trials, that we should expect them, & that God uses them to accomplish his purposes (1 Pet. 1:6-7; 4:12-13; 5:10).