Abstain

1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul

As strangers.
As pilgrims.

We are strangers and pilgrims- why?

Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Who were 'these' that died in faith?

Abel
Enoch
Noah
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Sara

We know these people- these Biblically historical people. They were ALL STRANGERS and PILGRIMS on earth- just as WE are supposed to be. Why? Because we seek ANOTHER COUNTRY. This earth is NOT our home.

As those who are also strangers and pilgrims we are all who claim this status to abstain from fleshly lusts, why? Because fleshly lusts WAR against us. Our flesh lusts war against us dragging us down. When we indulge our ungodly lusts we are damaging ourselves. Those lusts hurt us in many ways, they keep us from God they separate us from God. When we choose not to abstain from those lusts we are actually choosing to separate ourselves from God.

There is a war and those lusts are going to war with us. We are going to war with ourselves, our flesh selves.

Why don't we understand this fully? Why can't we make this really real to ourselves? Why is it so hard to imagine that we are in a war and that war is against our own flesh nature, a nature Satan will encourage in us and strive to get us to indulge.

1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul

Abstain. DO NOT DO these things. STOP doing these things. Stop indulging fleshly lusts!

People think those who abstain, those who deny themselves are oddballs. Truly those who do abstain from lusts that are being indulged freely by so many do appear to be odd. Fleshly lust rule our world. Fleshly lusts have become our norms in society. Take ONE night and watch several modern tv sitcoms, do it and you'll know without any doubt that fleshly lusts are very, very acceptable today. People watch these shows and so many emulate them. People get their standards from these shows. People are molded by these shows. When we think about this and realize that the Bible tells us to ABSTAIN from the lusts that are so prevalent in our world is it any wonder those who chose a life of abstaining are considered strange?

Abstain.

People indulge their desires all the time, to their own detriment.

How do we stop? Where do we find the power to deny ourselves? The only way is through Jesus, that is the ONLY way, by His grace and mercy, His power.

Please Lord, please help us to abstain from our fleshly lusts that would keep us from You. We need you so desperately.

Please help us.