SATURDAY August 29, 2026

Holiness of Conduct

...as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:14-16

As we mentioned previously, Christians can no longer live like they used to live; they have to live holy lives. Believers are no longer to feed their flesh––their lustful appetites. Peter gave counsel on how to live this new Christian life––it was to be lived in holiness. This meant having a surrendered life––a life that dies to self by not yielding to any evil passions. Such a surrendered life is instructed by Paul in Romans 12:1-2:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

You see, holiness of conduct not only involves the body, but also the mind. The mind is so powerful. Be careful what you put into your mind as it will always remain there. Did you know that when a person visits illicit websites on their computer, the history remains in the database forever? Husbands who view pornography are often found out by their wives; she just clicks on the history and sees what her husband had been watching.

When I was saved, as a brand-new Christian, nobody had to tell me not to watch pornography; I already knew not to. I also knew I could no longer commit adultery. I became a new person in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). As I repented and was forgiven, as a husband, I then knew I had a duty and responsibility to take care of my wife and children.

A new life in Christ has new responsibilities. To know and to live for Jesus Christ means your conduct will change to a conduct of holiness. This happens as you begin to study God’s Word. You will grow and mature.

When we Christians behave badly ... we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world.... Our careless lives ... give grounds for talking in a way that throws doubt on the truth of Christianity itself.
~C.S. Lewis~

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