SATURDAY September 12, 2026

Our Honorable Conduct

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:11-12

Pay attention to what Peter was teaching. We are to view ourselves as sojourners and pilgrims, as this world is not our permanent home. So please do not get too comfortable; we are only here temporarily, and then we are going home. Christians must constantly remind themselves of their true citizenship and where they are destined to spend eternity––heaven.

Peter warned us about what happens to people who get very comfortable with their lives in this world. They do not take seriously the call to live a holy life. Perhaps they get lazy about their daily devotional time with the Lord, and they fail to pray. Without spiritual readiness, carnality is sure to creep into their lives. We have a Christian responsibility toward holy living.

Let me tell you, there is a spiritual war going one­­––the war of fleshly lusts against the soul! We cannot fight this war without being alert and having our armor on (Ephesians 6:10-18). Overcoming your fleshy appetites means you have to deny yourself, pick up your Cross, and follow Jesus: ...those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24).

The spiritual life is to dominate our fleshly habits: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The key is to always be submitted to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This means obedience to what is written in His Word. Finally, Peter helps us to look to the future. When the day of visitation comes, and the Lord appears, will He be glorified because of your honorable conduct and good works?

Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.
~J. C. Ryle~

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