22. Satan's candy store. Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves

with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

1. First it puzzles. Did Christ have to cease from sin? No. He committed no sin

1.222. Then it clicks. When we arm ourselves with the thought that Christ suffered for us,

we realize that we died with him. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we

might die to sin and live to righteousness, 1 Peter 224. When we die with him, we cease to sin.

It's just like Romans 6. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the

body of sin might be brought to nothing so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who

has died has been set free from sin. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and

alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6, 6 to 7 and 11. Peter says, arm yourselves with this

thought. Paul says, consider yourselves dead. The weapon for our warfare against sin is this thought,

this consideration. When the temptations of Satan come to lust, to steal, to lie, to covet,

to envy, to retaliate, to put down, to fear, arm yourself with this thought. When my Lord

suffered and died to free me from sin, I died to sin. When Satan says to you, why deny yourself

the pleasure of lust? Why deal with this mess which you could avoid by lying? Why not go ahead and

get that harmless luxury you covet? Why not seek justice by returning the same hurt you just

received? Answer him. The Son of God suffered, really suffered, to deliver me from sinning.

I cannot believe he suffered to make me miserable. Therefore, what he died to purchase

must be more wonderful than the pleasures of sin. Since I trust him, my susceptibility to your

allurements has shriveled up and died, Satan begon. My mouth doesn't drool anymore when I walk

by your candy store.