GLORIFYING GOD

1 Peter 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:11–12 ESV

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

I. SOJOURNERS AND EXILES: ABSTAIN

1 Peter 2:11a (ESV) — 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles…

1 Peter 2:11a ESV

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:11–12 ESV

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

The verse is instructive because it informs us that those who have the Spirit are not exempt from fleshly desires. Such desires cannot be confined to sexual sins or sins of the body like drunkenness. We have already seen in 2:1 that believers are warned against “social” sins like slander and envy. [1]

Romans 13:14 (ESV) — 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 13:14 ESV

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Galatians 5:24 (ESV) — 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:24 ESV

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

James 4:1 (ESV) — 1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

James 4:1 ESV

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

M. Luther’s comments are insightful: “As soon as the Spirit and faith enter our hearts, we become so weak that we think we cannot beat down the least imaginations and sparks of temptation, and we see nothing but sin in ourselves from the crown of the head even to the foot. For before we believed, we walked according to our own lusts, but now the Spirit has come and would purify us, and a conflict arises when the devil, the flesh, and the world oppose faith.… If thou then hast wicked thoughts, thou shouldst not on this account despair; only be on thy guard, that thou be not taken prisoner by them” (Commentary on Peter & Jude[Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1990], 112–13).[2]

II. SOJOURNERS AND EXILES: KEEP

1 Peter 2:12a (ESV) —12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable…

1 Peter 2:12a ESV

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 3:16 (ESV) — 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

1 Peter 3:16 ESV

16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

2 Corinthians 8:21 (ESV) — 21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.

2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV

21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.

Philippians 2:15 (ESV) — 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Philippians 2:15 ESV

15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Titus 2:8 (ESV) — 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Titus 2:8 ESV

8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

III. SOJOURNERS AND EXILES: FOR HIS GLORY

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV) —Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12 ESV

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Matthew 5:16 (ESV) — 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Acts 10:38 (ESV) — 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Acts 10:38 ESV

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

[1]Schreiner, T. R. (2003). 1, 2 Peter, Jude(Vol. 37, p. 121). Broadman & Holman Publishers. [2]Schreiner, T. R. (2003). 1, 2 Peter, Jude(Vol. 37). Broadman & Holman Publishers.