MONDAY November 2, 2026

Suffering for Wrongdoing

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil doer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
1 Peter 4:15

The Apostle Peter gave a rebuke to believers in the church; he was not addressing nonbelievers outside of the church. We have learned that suffering for Christ is to be viewed as a blessing; we suffer for righteousness’ sake. But we should never suffer as a result of our own sinful actions––as a murderer, an evil doer (not caring who we hurt with our words or actions), or a busybody meddling in other people’s affairs. These are actions that we should never, ever do again. If we are truly Christians, we have ceased from a habitual life of sin (1 Peter 4:1).

The reason Peter addressed a Christian’s former life, before Christ, was because they used to be murderers, thieves and busybodies. They had radical testimonies. So Peter reminded them that, as they were now in Christ, they should not have to suffer consequences from unrighteous living, because they now had a new nature. They had been transformed into new creatures. God had forgiven them for what they had done in the past––all things were brand new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Do you recollect Christ’s Sermon on the Mount? Jesus taught the same kind of concepts to His followers. He taught them how to live the Christian life (Matthew 5-7). In Ephesians 4:17-30, The Apostle Paul also taught us key traits about the new man in Christ, and how to apply Christian precepts, practically. For instance, to a person who was previously a thief, they are instructed: Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need (Ephesians 4:28). I love that! Not only is the Christian told what they should not do, but they are also instructed on what they should do.

Beware of harking back to what you once were when God wants you to be something you have never been.
~Oswald Chambers~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!