*** This is part 2 of a message given on 1 Peter 3:1-9 on 11/26/17 ***

* Foundation - Peter and Paul - two guys who were very similar in personality and temperament.

* They weren’t close relationally, but they were one in the Spirit.

* Peter never held a grudge against Paul even though Paul publicly rebuked him.

* Why?

* 1) Humility - he allowed accountability and was willing to be rebuked (like Jesus did).

* 2) Perspective - he knew the gospel was at stake and God was using both men to preach it.

* If Peter allowed himself to think contemptuous thoughts toward Paul he never could have complimented him.

* Contempt is the key destroyer of relationships. It works like this:

* 1) Conflict - an agitation or offense that sparks a negative feeling.

* 2) Critique - we analyze and evaluate them through a negative grid.

* 3) Criticize - this is negativity expressed.

* * Complaint is about behavior / Criticism is about a person - it attacks character.

* 4) Contempt - the feeling of “I’m better than you.”

* * It’s a result of comparison, and takes place in the mind - it leads to and also reveals PRIDE.

* Peter could have said, “Paul never knew Jesus like I did….didn’t see Him transfigured, etc.”

* What do we do? We do what Peter shows us:

* Take thoughts CAPTIVE!

* We either lock negative thoughts up and be free, or we lock ourselves up as our thoughts run free.

* Captive thoughts are still alive until they starve to death (only if we don’t feed them).

* A thought becomes our captive when we

* 1) Recognize what’s happening.

* 2) Renounce the lie.

* 3) Replace with the truth.