Recap
In 1 Peter 2:9-10, we looked at the multi-layered blessings that come with being called God’s people. We talked about the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light.
1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends
Literally beloved ones
- When we are dealing with a call to obedience, what difference does it make that God calls us beloved ones?
as foreigners and exiles
- The Holy Spirit (through Peter) is reminding us here of our true identity as well as our true destiny
- We do not belong to this age although we live in it.
- We are the people who will inherit a restored earth (with full access to heaven’s blessings) in the age to come.
I urge you … to abstain
The root word apexo can have the following meanings
- to hold back, keep off, to be away, be distant.
- to have one thing by separating from (letting go of) another.
When we abstain or keep away from evil, we don’t lose something. We gain something.
- What do we gain by abstaining from sinful desires or choosing not to indulge in destructive feelings?
from sinful desires
- ESV the passions of the flesh
- the Greek refers to strong feelings or desires.
- The word can be used of desire for good or bad things. Desire is not bad in itself. Paul says we are to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 14.1
- In this context Peter is clearly speaking of evil desires.
- Galatians 5:19-23
which wage war against your soul
- How do sinful desires (or the passions of the flesh) wage war against our souls?
- According to Galatians 5:16,22-23, how do we win this battle?
For further reference
Teaching on spirit, soul, body and how we govern our soulish nature.