Our Story: In order to win the battle waged by temporal desires against our soul (2:11) believers need to arm themselves with Christ's mindset

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who suffers  in the temporal realm has ceased from/finished with sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the desires of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles                    1:13 Gird up the loins of your mind

I. Putting on the Armor of the Mindset of Christ protects from pitfalls and enables pursuit of the prize

A. Mindset =  suffering to submit in obedience to  God's commands outweighs any advantage of doing my own thing
1Pt 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you

B. Done with sin: No revenge, retaliation, bad-mouthing, silent manipulation, complaining etc, just like Christ didn't
Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.             

Eph 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Isa 1:16 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,

C. I'm not here to do what gives me vain significance, worth, value, possessions, pleasure, but to do the things that give God pleasure
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God, something to be held onto, 7 but made Himself of no reputation...

D. Suffering is a vaccine against shortsightedness of the soul; The purpose of this life is to invest it in a beneficial future
Heb 12:3 consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls

Rm 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve/manifest what God's will is— His good, pleasing and perfect will.

II. When properly armed, we can know, do, and experience the benefits of the perfect will of God

A. Will of God = What I would gladly choose to do if I knew everything God knew. (or if I could see things from God's perspective)  

B. Want it Ps 143:8...Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; in You I take shelter. 10  Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

C. Learn it  Eph 5:15 Be very careful then, how you live, not as fools but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise/foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Col 1:9...pray for you... that you might be filled/controlled with the knowledge of His will by all wisdom and spiritual understanding

D. Choose it Jn 7:17 If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out/know whether my teaching comes from God...

2Co 5:15 He died for all, that those who live should not  live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Eph 4:17 This I say, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity/futility of their mind
Eph 5:8 For you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

E. Do it  Heb 13:21...make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, thru Jesus
Eph 5:8 you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 demonstrating out what is pleasing to the Lord.

Col 4:12...always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
1Jn 2:17  And the world passes away and the lusts/desires of it, but he that does the will of God abides for ever.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What happens to unarmed soldiers in a conflict? How do Christians become casualties in the spiritual battle?
2. How does one actually arm themselves? What happens when someone tries to put on something new without taking off the old?
3. Are most Christians doing the will of God? What keeps the wayward from doing and experiencing His perfect will?
4. How have you suffered for submitting to the will of God? If you haven't suffered are you sinning or doing God's will?
5. How do you need to mentally arm yourself so you you can be done with sin and do God's perfect will? What will happen if you don't?