1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:1

We should not be surprised that in the middle of his epistle in which the word “suffering” appears sixteen times, Peter addresses the subject of marriage. In days of difficulty, marriages will either grow stronger or collapse under the strain. Thus, it is fitting that Peter would address the issue of marriage within the overarching theme of the believer and suffering. Why is it that in our daywhen there are countless seminars and books, tapes and videos available concerning marriagewe’re seeing even Christian marriages unraveling to an unparalleled degree? Perhaps part of the answer lies in the same reason the Bible keeps its teaching on marriage very simple. The real issue is not knowing what to doit’s doing what we know. You see, many people believe that if people had more information on how to be better wives or husbands, everything would be fine. Yet it only takes a few minutes to study everything Jesus said concerning marriage. I find Peter’s instructions to be succinct, simple, and wonderfully workable. As a pastor, I have found that, when a man gets saved, his wife and his kids follow him in faith. Such was the case in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10), as well as in the family of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16). When a woman is saved first, however, I have found she tends to come alone. This is partly due to a phony sense of male superiority that says, “If she found it first, how right can it be?” Or, “This church stuff doesn’t fit in with the macho image I’ve cultivated so carefully.” Consequently, Peter is saying to wives, “Even if your husbands aren’t saved, don’t preach at them. Don’t put tracts in their lunchbox when you send them off to work. Don’t turn on the Christian radio station when you go to bed. You are to win your husbands simply by submitting to them.”

1 Peter 3:3

The Greek word translated “adorn” is kosmos, which means “ordered universe,” and from which we get our word “cosmetic,” so here Peter is speaking of an order not of the outward appearance, but an order in the inner person. “Don’t make clothes, jewelry, or the way you fix your hair the center of your universe or your top priority,” says Peter. If you do, you’re missing God’s best for you. Derived from the idea of a powerful horse brought into submission, the Greek word translated “meek” is praus, which means “strength under control.” Thus, a meek person is one who is centered, grounded, one who knows what he or she is about, who has a godly perspective on life. It is no wonder, then, that to the Lord, a meek and quiet spirit is never out of style. I believe heaven will prove to be the great reversal. That is, many of those who appear on the cover of People magazine today will, in eternity, be shriveled, insignificant, or absent altogetherwhile many of those on earth who are today thought of as unattractive, unimportant, and insignificant will be beautiful in heaven because of their inner person. For the next billion years, no one will care about your hair or biceps, your wardrobe or your tan. All that will matter is whether you cultivated a meek and quiet spirit.

1 Peter 3:5

Not only are wives to be attractive inside, they are to stand by their husbands’ side. The example used here is an interesting one, for Peter reaches back to the Old Testament and singles out Sarah as the model of a submitted woman. Catch the scene: Sitting in front of his tent, Abraham saw three men headed his way. As they drew nearer, he realized they were uniqueand indeed they were, for they were two angels and the Lord. Running out to greet them, he fell at their feet, saying, “Come to my tent and be refreshed.” Over dinner, the Lord said to Abraham, “Sarah will bear a son"a reiteration of the promise given to him years before (see Gen_12:2). Hearing this, Scripture says Sarah laughed within herself (Gen_18:12). The story is pertinent because in reaching back to this particular event, Peter is saying that Sarah called Abraham “lord” at the very point she was having a hard time believing his vision. How needed is the submissive spirit of Sarah today. The wife who hears the vision, the dream, the call of her husband, is tempted to say, “No way. You’re too old. You’re untrained. You’re not qualified enough. You’re not smart enough. You’re not skilled enough. Forget it!” A dear friend of mine loved the Word and felt called to start a ministry. “That’s impractical,” said his wife. “Get your head out of the clouds and your feet back on the ground. This is just not going to happen.” He let go of the vision. Today they’re divorced, and their kids are heartbroken. How much better it would have been had this wife taken Peter’s simple, practical word and said, “Here’s my perspective, honey, but whatever the Lord leads you to do, I’ll travel with you.” How much better it would have been if, like Sarah, in the moment of her own doubting, she chose to honor her husband, even though his vision didn’t make sense to her. “I would be happy to believe in my husband’s vision,” you say. “But let me tell you, my husband’s no Abraham!” For that, you can be gladfor you recall the story… To escape famine in the land, Abraham headed to Egypt. He took Sarah with him. Once there, Abraham instructed Sarah to tell people they were brother and sister, knowing Pharaoh would kill him in order to add Sarah to his harem. This amazes me until I remember that, although Abraham is indeed a giant of the faith, he is still a man with flaws and weaknesses. “Take these camels, goods, and servants,” said Pharaoh to Abraham. “Your sister is one pretty lady.” So Abraham became a wealthy man. What about Sarah? Even though Abraham had let her down, God didn’t. He protected her when He plagued the house of Pharaoh, rendering Pharaoh unable to touch her (see Gen_12:17). Even though Abraham was going in the wrong direction, God protected Sarah and enriched the family as a result of her obedience. As for Abraham, he suffered the consequences of his sin. His heart was later broken when he had to let go of the son born to him through his union with one of the servants given him by Pharaoh (Gen_16:3-4). When I lead my family in the wrong direction, God deals with me directly. Because Tammy travels with me, God protects her and enriches our family through her submission. As you study Abraham’s life, you see that a key component to his greatness was having Sarah for his wifeone who traveled with him, one who trusted in God, one who called him lord. Wives, don’t strive with your husbands. If he has a dream, if there’s something on his heart, if he senses a calling stirring within himeven if it doesn’t make sense to you, even if you might be worried about the financial repercussions, don’t get in his way. Travel with him. If you don’t, he will become quenched spiritually, your family will be fractured unnecessarily, and years will be tragically lost. Be like Saraheven if you have to stifle a chuckle or twoand watch the Lord bless abundantly.

1 Peter 3:7

Of his seven verses dealing with marriage, Peter spends six of them addressing women. I think there’s a reason for that. If you went to a pet store to buy a pet turkey, you would pick up a cage, food, water bowl, and a booklet, wherein you would find lengthy instructions on how to care for your pet. The turkey, on the other hand, wouldn’t need a book telling him how to live with you because the smarter one gets the instructions. I think you see the analogy! Women are given a greater amount of instruction because their challenge to live with men can be much more difficult! Peter makes it as simple as he can for husbands when he tells them they are to do three things… As a husband, I am to know my wife deeply, profoundly, in the way she deserves to be known. How does this happen? I believe the answer can be seen in the way our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, relates to His bride. At the outset of His public ministry, Jesus called Philip to follow Him. So impressed was Phillip with Jesus that he told his friend Nathanael he had found the Messiah. “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. So Nathanael did. “Behold, an Israelite in whom is no guile,” said Jesus of Nathanael. “How do you know me?” asked Nathanael. “Before you came to meet Me, when you were sitting under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus said. “Truly You must be the Master,” Nathanael said. “Stick around, Nathanael,” said Jesus, “for you will see angels descending and ascending from heaven.” And Nathanael followed Jesus from that moment on (see Joh_1:43-51; Joh_21:2). Rabbinical literature indicates that studying was often done under a fig tree, the national symbol of Israel. Thus, Nathanael was studying when Jesus saw him. I suggest he was reading the account in Genesis 28. Jacob, a man whose name meant “guile,” was in a place he thought was forsaken by God. Yet in his sleep, Jacob saw a ladder come down from heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it. Thus, it could be that when Jesus referred to him as an Israelite in whom there was no guile, no “Jacob"and then went on to refer to Himself as the Ladder upon which the angels ascend and descend, Nathanael might have thought, That’s the story I was just reading a few moments ago! (see Joh_1:43-51) Jesus, the Bridegroom, knew His bride, Nathanael, because Nathanael was studying the Word. The best way for you to have knowledge of your wife, husband, is to spend time with her in the Word. Not only are we to have knowledge of our wives, but we are to honor them as weaker vessels. The idea of her being the weaker vessel does not mean she is intellectually, morally, or spiritually inferior. On the contrary, her weakness stems from her innate desire for spirituality. In the Garden of Eden, it was Eve Satan seducednot to party, but to be more spiritual. Eve was the weaker vessel in the sense that she was more vulnerable to Satan’s suggestion that she eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in order to be more like God (Gen_3:5). This helps me understand that my wife will innately have a desire for the Lord that will perhaps transcend my own. Thus, I can be blessed by her relationship with Him. On the other hand, she will also be more vulnerable to some of Satan’s subtle seductions. So we need each other. After the Fall, the situation worsened due to the curse which said that although the desire of the woman would be for the man, it would be the lot of the man to work hard for a living (Gen_3:16-19). That is why husbands hear their wives saying, “I just want to be with you,” and why wives hear their husbands saying, “I just want to provide for you.” It’s the curse that affects every marriage to one degree or another. Not only are husbands to have knowledge of and give honor to their wives, they are to be enriched by their wives. Suppose you inherited ten thousand dollars, but your wife inherited ten million dollars. Would you choose to have a joint checking account? Would you choose to be joint heirs? I think so! Husband, you can enjoy the charis, the grace, the “beauty of life” if you see your wife as being rich in the things of God. “Oh, but I don’t need my wife spiritually,” you might be thinking. “I’m a mighty man of God.” So was Moses. God had called Moses to set His people free. Yet after hearing the Word of the Lord, he found himself pinned down by Lord’s strength. Intuitively realizing what was happening, his wife, Zipporah, grabbed a sharp rock and circumcised their son. The Lord then released Moses to go on to become the leader of the nation of Israel (Exo_4:25). You see, God had told Moses that the eldest sons of the Egyptians would die. Moses had a problem in that his own son was not circumcised according to the covenant of God. Zipporah knew this. Oh, others might have been in awe of Moses. Others might have been impressed with Moses. Others had certainly been led by Moses. Zipporah knew that God would not continue to use Moses if he failed to tend to his own son. So often, it’s the wife who will say, “Others might think you’re Mr. Wonderful, but because I want to see you become what I know God has called you to be; because I want you to be the leader of our family; because I want our sons and daughters to do well, this is what needs to happen…” Husband, God put your wife in your life to enrich you. Listen to her. Honor her. Know her. My wife has a huge part to play in my life and ministry. She’s a joint heir. I will enjoy the charis, grace, the “beauty of life” to the degree that I know, honor and listen to her. Husband, more than success in ministry, more than professional accolades, more than material wealth, God wants you to experience the joy of seeing your wife as a joint heir with Christ. He wants you to see your kids grow up serving Him wholeheartedly. To that end, as He did with Moses, He’ll stop you if your priorities are amiss. If you notice a dryness in your walk or a brass ceiling that causes your prayers to bounce back to you, could it be that something is wrong at home? The Father loves us too much to let us go about our business for Him if things aren’t right with our families. If our faith doesn’t work at home, it doesn’t work anywhere.

1 Peter 3:8

After talking about marriage and “love life,” Peter talks about loving life. Even in the midst of the persecution where believers were being crucified upside down, Peter encourages his readers to love life. It is when the hard times come that we need to watch our tongues. It’s very easy to begin complaining, “Why me? Why this? Why now?” Peter tells us that if we want to love life and see good days, we are to refrain our tongue from evilliterally to keep from complaining. While speaking evil implies speaking against God, “speaking guile” means manipulating situations to make it easier on oneself. This happens most easily when times get tough, as we begin to twist the truth, saying things that put us in a better light. We manipulate the situation to our own advantage.

1 Peter 3:11

In other words, “Turn your back on evil and, instead, do good.” This is the idea that we are to do good for others. When hard times come, it’s easy to think that it’s not our fault. Peter tells us that if we want to love life and see good days, we must not let our guard down. This isn’t meant to put a legalistic burden upon us, but rather to be a wise and loving guide for us. Peter continues quoting another who experienced brutal days. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.Psa_34:12-16 With Saul out to kill him, David found himself seeking refuge in the Philistine city of Gath. When he realized that he was recognized as the one who had slain Goliath, David knew he was again in danger. In order to make it out of Gath alive, he clawed at the gates of the city, ranting and raving like a lunatic as he feigned insanity. When the king heard there was a crazy man within his gates, David was allowed to go his way. (1Sa_21:10-15) Psalms 34 was written while David was running for his life. Yet he says, “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth, for I have tasted and seen in the midst of this difficulty that the Lord is good.” Who will love life and see good days? Society says it’s the one who can make his life problem-free, who insulates himself from difficulty, who escapes adversity. David says just the opposite. He says it’s when you’re wondering how the next bill will be paid, or if the marriage will work out that the Lord makes Himself most real to you. He says it’s when you’re trapped in Gath that suddenly you see God. If we really embraced what Peter is saying, what David is declaring, and what James’ injunction to “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (see Jas_1:2), we would not try to make our life easier. Instead, we would be those who say, “It’s in the day of difficulty, in the years that are hard for me that I’m going to have the opportunity to taste and see that the Lord is good.” We all know people who are insulated from problems, who don’t have challenges, who succeeded in making their lives as easy as they possibly could. Yet the easier it gets for them, the less joy there is within them. Peter says something absolutely shockingat least to the ears of our culture: “In the midst of suffering, difficulty, and challenges, don’t seek to fix the problem. Don’t make it easier. Instead, choose to do good and seek peace. Don’t murmur; don’t complain. You’ll find that you love life because God will meet you in the midst of your difficulty.”

1 Peter 3:13

To the early church, Peter says, “If you choose to do good in hard times, who can really harm you? Oh, people might hurt you, but they can’t harm you. They might tie you to a tree and ignite you. They might throw you to lions that devour you. But they can’t harm you because you’ll end up in heaven.” Those who live for heaven have an entirely different perspective on life because they’re able to take a lot more things a lot less seriously. If you’re living for earth, for an easy life, you’ll be miserable. If you seek first the kingdom of God, if you live for heaven, you’ll find that, although people may hurt you, no one can harm you.

1 Peter 3:14

“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My name’s sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (see Mat_5:11-12). Echoing Jesus, Peter says, “Be happy in suffering, in difficulty, in persecution.” Why? Suffering, difficulty, heartache, and tragedy set our sights on heaven. Although I long to go oh, so much further, I’m not sure that had I not been given the privilege of going through some heartaches and tragedies, I would be where I am presently. And the same is true for you. The aching back, the kids that break your heart, the career advancement that didn’t work outare all necessary to sever the cords that bind us to this earth. After quoting David and Jesus, Peter quotes Isaiah. With the dreaded Assyrians headed their way, the kings of Syria and Israel asked Ahaz, the king of Judah to join them. However, being warned through Isaiah by the Lord not to, Ahaz refused. This put him in a position in which Assyria, Syria, and Israel were now all against him. For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.Isa_8:11-12 “Do not be afraid of confederacies,” Isaiah said. In other words, “Focus on the Lord.” Peter was talking to a group of people who were, indeed, the object of a conspiracy, as the Roman Empire conspired against Christians. Yet because he knew the Word, Peter was able to draw on Old Testament illustrations to encourage them in their situation. The idea here is not primarily to defend a theological position. Rather, it is to give a very simple explanation for your hope. This is another good thing about hard times: they give us an opportunity to shine brightly in what would otherwise be darkness. The Reason for Hope A Topical Study of 1Pe_3:14-15 Astronomers tell us that at this moment there are 1,096 stars visible to the naked eye. Yet in the morning, you can’t see even one of them because the brightness of the sun obscures the beauty of the stars. It is only when darkness falls that the stars become visible. The people to whom Peter was writing were living in troubled times, in dark days. Persecution against them had already begun and would only intensify in the days to come as six million of them would be fed to lions, nailed to crosses, ignited as human torches, or boiled in oil. But Peter knew that just as in the heavens above, the darker the sky became around the Christians, the greater light shining from them would be. Although we don’t experience physical persecution in our own country, none can deny that the culture is growing darker and darker all around us. In light of this, what does Peter tell us to do? Be happy. Personal difficulties, hard times, and suffering allow one the opportunity to give an answer for his hope. Be it cultural or personal difficulty, you can shine more brightly when people look at youeven as they looked at those to whom Peter was writing who seemed to be living in a hopeless situationand ask, “How can you have such hope?” You must be ready to give an answernot primarily concerning the theological position you hold, but rather concerning the spiritual hope you havefor people are hopeless in four ways. Essentially Empty Augustine was right when he said, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee, O Lord.” Pascal put it this way: There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man that cannot be satisfied by anything but God. Paul said it best when he said God created us subject to emptiness (Rom_8:20). Suppose you go to the Ford dealership today and see the new Ford Explorers all lined up, gleaming in the sun. You can open the door of one, take your seat behind the wheel, shift the gears, and pump the brake. But you won’t go anywhere because there’s a hole in the car that must be filled. It’s called the ignition. Is the Ford dealership mean to put those cars out on the lot with holes in them? No. They simply want a relationship with you. The hole in the car keeps you from cruising away because they want you to come into their showroom and to sit across the table from them as they draw up papers for you to sign. God created every single human being in such a way that his life won’t work until the hole in it is filled with Jesus. God is good. There’s nothing about Him that’s capricious. Because He created a hole within the heart of every person you go to school with, every person you work with, every person you live nearthey’re all essentially empty, curious about the reason for the hope within you. Desperately Lonely Not only are people essentially empty, but adults, teenagers, and even children are desperately lonely. They are seeking a solution for their loneliness in some earthly relationship, not knowing it will only be solved by discovering the greatest Friend anyone can havea Friend who sticks closer than a brother, a Friend who will never leave themJesus Christ. On the mountaintop one morning, talking things over with the Lord, I was reminded how fabulous it is to have a Friend who’s always there. This realization keeps me from clinging to others, from being a burden to others, from taking advantage of others. It’s a relationship for which the world longs, even though they don’t know it. Painfully Guilty In addition to being essentially empty and desperately lonely, every person is painfully guilty. No matter how we try to deny it, every one of us knows we’ve dropped the ball; we’ve hurt people; we’ve messed up. Every single person you talk to is aware that he has failed, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one (Rom_3:10, Rom_3:23). We can be righteous not by trying to be good little boys or girlsbut only by realizing we’re sinners and that Jesus took our place when He died. Filled with Anxiety Finally, every person on this planet is filled with anxiety. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus came to deliver those subject to bondage of the fear of death (Heb_2:15). The fear of death holds every single person in bondage all the days of his life. I’m so glad I’m a Christian. I’m so glad you’re saved. I’m so thankful we know that to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord (2Co_5:8). I’m so grateful we don’t have to be fearful about our own situation, or angry when a loved one is taken from us because we know that what Jesus said is true. “Let not your heart be troubled,” He said. “You believe in God. Believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am there you may be also” (see Joh_14:1-3). When days grow darker, when depravity intensifies, when persecution comes, when people want to hear the reason for your hope, you can simply tell them, “The reason I have hope in my heart is because of Jesus Christ. He’s the key to the emptiness that was inside me. I no longer am haunted by my past mistakes because they’ve been washed away by His blood at Calvary. I have a Friend I can talk to continually. And I know I’ll live with Him eternally.” You see, it all gets down to Jesus. When asked who had healed him, the once-blind man answered, “A Man named Jesus.” “How did this happen?” asked the Pharisees some time later. “He’s a Prophet,” the man explained. “Do you believe in the Son of God?” Jesus asked him even later. “I believe, Lord,” came the reply (see Joh_9:38). Notice the progression. To the man born blind, Jesus was first a man, then a prophet, and finally Lord. When questioned about the event, his parents, fearing excommunication, said of their son, “He’s of age. Ask him.” So when pressed for the reason Jesus healed him on the Sabbath day, the man simply and powerfully said, “I can’t answer your questions. I can’t give you a full explanation. All I know is this: Once I was blind, but now I see” (see Joh_9:25). That’s the hope Peter says we must share. You may not be able to answer another’s questions theologically, but when difficulties come your way, you can say, “Here’s my story: I was blind once. I was empty. I was lonely. I was guilty. I had anxiety just like you. But now I see. Jesus came into my life, and He’s completely changed me. I can’t explain it. I can’t defend it intellectually, but I can share with you something you cannot refute. Jesus saved me. Therefore, even though I’m not what I should be, I’m not what I used to be.” When times are hard, when catastrophe comes, when setbacks arise, be ready. They will give you opportunity to shine brightly. May God give us boldness and wisdom to see that the reason for the hope within us lies solely in the One who opens our eyes to see Him, even in the darkest day of difficulty.

1 Peter 3:16

Why is it important to have a good conscience? Without one, we will not speak boldly when people ask about the hope within us. If you stagger out of a tavern, get in your car, and hit fifteen cars on your way down the street, when the policeman pulls you over and the newspaper puts your picture on the front page the next day, how bold a witness would you be? The Bible speaks specifically about our conscience. In Tit_1:15, we are warned about the danger of a defiled conscience. The word “defiled” speaks of the way an unwashed window gets dirtier and dirtier, making things appear darker and darker. It’s an excellent illustration, for if I expose my mind to sin, my conscience becomes dirtier and dirtier, allowing less and less light to break through. Bible study becomes increasingly difficult, and my heart feels heavy and dark. In 1Ti_4:2, we read of a seared conscienceone no longer sensitive to that which once troubled it. Heb_10:22 speaks of an evil or a poisoned conscience within those who twist Scripture not only to justify their own sin, but to draw other people in as well. Because it sounded like a woman’s voice, the owner of a Lincoln Town Car deluxe edition called the computer-generated voice that notified him of any problems “the little lady.” One day, as he was driving, the little lady said, “You’re running low on fuel. You’re running low on fuel.” No way, thought the man. I have almost half a tank left. Every thirty seconds, the voice said, “Stop for gas. Stop for gas. Stop for gas.” Frustrated, he stopped his car, reached under the dashboard, and ripped out the wiring. When he drove a little farther, however, his car sputtered before stopping altogetherfor, indeed he was out of gas. The little lady wasn’t wrong. It was his gas gauge that was broken. Man was created with a voice inside of him that says, “You’re running low on fuel,” or, “Stay away from there,” or, “Watch out for that.” Those with a seared or evil conscience say, “No problem,” as they begin ripping away the wires of their conscience until they no longer can hear the voice within.

1 Peter 3:18

A good conscience is not dependent upon what we do or don’t do, but upon what Jesus did. I can truly have a good conscience if I understand that the sins, shortcomings, and failings that are part of my history were completely paid for by Christ. No one knew this better than Peter. Cursing vehemently, he swore he didn’t know Him, as he stood in the courtyard of Caiaphasfor just as Jesus said he would, Peter denied Christ. Aware of his failing, he wept bitterly (Luk_22:62). Peter went on from there to become a man who was mighty in ministry, a man who was totally restored because he understood that Jesus Christ died for his sins of betrayal, rebellion, and blasphemy. The same evening Peter openly denied Jesus, another disciple secretly betrayed Him… After selling Him out for thirty pieces of silver, Judas’ conscience bothered him greatly. “I have betrayed innocent blood,” he said as he threw the money on the floor of the temple, wanting to reverse the deal. But realizing that the priests would not allow him a way out, Judas hung himself (see Mat_27:5). Both men failed Jesus in the same evening. One went to hell, the other went on to great things. What was the difference? They each chose a tree. Judas chose a tree from which to hang himself. Peter chose a tree upon which to look. Truly, there is great power in seeing the Cross. “I’m so poisoned,” you say. So were the Israelites… By the tens of thousands, they were bitten by snakes that sent poison coursing through their veins. The cure? God told Moses to put a brass serpent upon a brass pole in the middle of the campand whoever would look upon it would be healed (Num_21:8). Those who took this to be trivial and simplistic died in the desert. Those who simply lifted up their eyes and looked upon the serpent were completely healed. This served as a sneak preview of what would happen when the Son of God became a serpent, became sin, and hung on the Cross in our place (2Co_5:21). So, too, there are people who say, “Guilt will not dissipate simply by looking to the Cross. What’s needed is years of analysis followed by years of counseling.” Peter says otherwise. Because he looked to the One hanging on the treeeven though he had been bitten by his own sinPeter was forgiven immediately and went on to great ministry.

1 Peter 3:19

“I believe Christ died for my sin,” you may say, “but why am I always thinking about my failure? Why am I always aware of my sin and rebellion?” You have an adversary who perches on your shoulder and whispers in your ear, “You’re a sinner. You failed here. You dropped the ball there. You’re going to need lots and lots of psychological work to have any hope of recovery because you’re a rotten loser” (see Rev_12:10). Satan, the accuser of the brethren, is not omnipresent. He cannot be everywhere at once. But he can dispatch demons. Therefore, Jesus not only died for our sins, but after He died, He “preached unto the spirits in prison.” That is, He went to hell. We know from the account in Luke 16 that before Jesus rose from the dead, hell was divided into two compartments: Paradise was where the Old Testament saints waited for the work of the Cross. That is why Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “This day you’ll be with Me in paradise” (see Luk_23:43). Those who didn’t believe on the Lord were on the other side of hella place of torment. In our text, we read that Jesus preached to the spirits who were disobedient in the day of Noah. Who were these spirits? Genesis 6 tells us they were particularly disobedient and diabolical. The most wicked of all demons, they actually had relations with women, from which a race of giants was produced. It was to these spirits that Jesus preached. Why? They were the “big guns,” the most terrible, the ones that will be released during the Tribulation, where they will cause unparalleled pain and problems for people on the earth. What did Jesus say to them? He said, “Your authority to keep a grip on Jon Courson has been broken. The blood I shed washed away every sin he has done, is doing, or ever will do. The perfect provision I have made now absolutely, completely frees him from your authority.” You see, it is only through sin that Satan’s demons have authority in our lives. When we sin, we essentially rebel against God and open ourselves to the devil and his demons. They can do whatever they want because the sin in our lives gives them a handle upon which to hold. However, the blood of Jesus is so powerful that it eradicates the sin, thereby obliterating the handle. Without that handle, what can Satan and his henchmen do? All they can do is lie to you and me, saying, “There’s no hope for you. You’ve blown it too badly. You’ve gone too far. You’re through.” Is your conscience bothering you? Peter says, “Look to the Cross.” If you still feel condemned, realize it’s a lie from the Enemy telling you that you’re not forgiven, that you’re unworthy, that you can’t be used, that you’ve gone too far, that you’ve been too bad. Realize that Jesus told the very worst of the demons that they no longer have power over you.

1 Peter 3:21

The Cross provides forgiveness. The demons have been put on notice. If you still are struggling with your conscience, the solution is found in the same place it was in Noah’s day, when the Flood washed away the memory of the sinful world. Just as the Flood drowned out the world and washed away the problem, when a person is baptized, the world’s pull is reduced, washed away, drowned out due to the realization of what Christ did on the Cross and the proclamation He made to the demons in hell. “Angels and authorities and powers” refer to demons. They cannot rebel against Jesus. They cannot contradict Jesus. They must submit to Jesus because they were rendered ineffective by Jesus.