Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires…
…which wage war against your soul.
Today we look at the second half of verse eleven. These six words are profoundly meaningful. As we put on the wedding garment, the righteousness of Christ, we wonder, “Do we have to wear these clothes all the time?” The answer is yes, and these six words explain why.
In this passage, Peter does not warn us against doing sinful things. He has already done that in verse two when he writes, “…be obedient to Jesus Christ ”
Yesterday’s passage admonished us to “abstain from sinful desires.” We are not to allow ourselves to indulge in sin even in our thoughts. But how is that anybody’s business but our own?
There are two reasons why this is important. First, God knows our thoughts. (Matthew 9:4; Luke 9:47) Nothing is hidden from God. Jesus expounds more on this in Matthew 5: 21-32. When we allow sinful desires to take root in our mind or heart, God knows. This offends Him.
The second reason is important, too. When we indulge in sinful desires, they wage war against our souls.
How?
Our desires leave an impression. They leave a mark on our soul. The bottom of our shoes are a different kind of sole, but the same principle applies. As we walk through life impressions are made by the things we walk on. A pebble here, a thumbtack there. We continue not realizing that we carry these marks with us. Maybe we step in a wad of gum or a spot of tar. Maybe somebody didn’t clean up after their dog. You get the idea.
When we come to someplace where we want to dress up and impress people, we can always change shoes. But we can’t change our soul. When we meet Jesus, he loves us regardless of what we have done or who we are. But what about the sinful desires we indulge in after we have met him?
In 1 John 1:9 we are told, “If we confess our sins, he [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This is true, but Peter also knows that sin leaves a mark.
I am here to tell you that our adversary, Satan, is extremely skilled at shaming people for past sins. He is a master at catching a person with their defenses down, distracting them from the cross, and undermining their faith. All it takes is the memory of one past sinful desire, and he has all he needs to sideline you from doing God’s work.
Peter himself knows this better than anyone. What was in his heart when he wanted to enshrine Moses and Elijah? (Matthew 17:4) What did he desire when he declared before Jesus and the other disciples, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:35) Was a “sinful desire” at work when he failed to keep watch with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? (Matthew 26: 40)
The “war against [the] soul” raged inside Peter when he was confronted by the reality of his sinful desires. The Bible says, “he wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26: 75)
Please don’t misunderstand. The power of God sustains us and renews us. In Psalm 51 David writes:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
When his disciples asked Jesus, “Who then can be saved?” He responded, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19: 25-26)
With God, all things are possible, even abstaining from sinful desires.
Application: Trust Him. Lean on Him. Allow God to help you abstain from that which wars against your soul.
Food for Thought: When are we most prone to be aware of the ”war against [our] soul(s)?”
It is when we are unaware that we are in most danger. Scripture tells us to be alert all the time. Jesus told Peter to be alert before he denied Jesus three times. In the garden of Gethsemane He told His disciples to pray so that they do not enter into temptation (Luke 22: 39 – 40). Peter then tells us to be alert (1 Peter 5: 8). We are easily tempted and fall into old patterns, so we need to be aware and walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5: 16 – 26). We may be aware of sin and still decide to choose it, but if we are unaware the choice may already be made. We are likely most aware with habitual sin in which we are trying to gain victory through God’s power. We are aware of sin when our flesh is awaken and we want something we know leads to death. James 1: 13 – 15: When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Rich,
Thank you for your words today. I find them very helpful. You point to Jesus’ words to Peter about being alert. Peter learned that lesson well!
In the US military, Infantry, we trained to immediately, automatically establish a strong defensive perimeter, to hold all ground we had gained in an assault against an enemy position. We understood one battle was not the war and prepared for a possible counter attack.
In a football game they take a break to have a great celebration whenever a touchdown is made. Everyone on the offensive team rushes to the person making the touchdown with praise and pats on the back. It’s a game.
Gods word tells us we must be, Sober, well-balanced, self-disciplined, alert and cautious. Very aware of the seriousness of our mission on this world. In unity with God, living in His precepts which are our armor against the spiritual forces of darkness which are seeking to devour us. We are in a war, not playing a game.
1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-18,
I have found my greatest potential for failure, weak areas are after a victory. I am potentially weak in two areas. Both related to humility.
1.) Immediately after every victory comes a test, I must choose one of two paths. Do I give the credit to God and continue to walk the path of war with enemies of God, or do I take a break and celebrate my victory like I’m playing a game?
2.) From time to time I will do something right and someone will tell me what a wonderful Christian man I am. Immediately I am at a fork in the road. Do I accept their praise as mine, or do I give it to God who has done the good through me, and continue my mission.
After every victory, we must be prepared for a counter attack, satan will present a temptation. We need to live in unity with God by living in His precepts 24/7. We can rest in the arms of Jesus when we are called home.
Ron,
I like your portrayal of our situation in this life. You are right, it is not a game! Well said!
Thank you Ron
my should be “my” not saying it’s mine, but if I take credit I will be claiming it as mine.
👍🏻
Nice pun
👍🏻 as well. This fed me.