Is this scripture telling us to have a mind that's willing to suffer in the flesh? But, I don't want to suffer. Well, nobody does, but notice how Christ handled it, He armed himself with a mind that was willing to suffer for us. God's Word tells you and me to arm ourselves likewise. Are you willing to be like Jesus?
Now, the suffering in the flesh is not sickness or disease; the suffering in the flesh is dealing with people. Yes, that right. People. You may be dealing with folks right now who lied on you, talked about you, stole from you - whatever. But, if you complain when persecution come against your flesh, then you're not armed with Jesus' mind.
Ask God to forgive you. After all, persecutions came Jesus' way and He dealt with it successfully. So can you. Then ask God to teach you how to arm your mind just like Jesus did so you can be successful in the things of God.
As a believer, you can't afford to go around wearing your feelings on your sleeve, you have to become as a dead man. Colossians 3:3 declare, "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ". Now, when a dead man is in a coffin, you can do whatever you want to him - call him names, spit on him - anything. But that dead man will just lay there as stiff as a board and unresponsive. Why? Because he's a dead man.
You see, the Lord wants us to arm ourselves with a mind that's dead to the world's barbs against us. If you arm yourselves like Jesus did, you can have Jesus results. He accomplished the perfect will of God. I don't know about you, but I want to accomplish the perfect will of God for my life. You do this by having a humble mind filled with meekness and longsuffering.
When dealing with the suffering of the flesh, you must to arm yourself by receiving, practicing, and renewing your mind with the Word. Remember, you have the mind of Christ.
Scripture References: Philippians 2:5-15
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).
