The Upward Look
© Copyright 2010, Max D. Hutto,

“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.”
   1 Peter 2:11 NASB ©

With a term of endearment and tender affection, Peter begins a new section describing his readers as aliens and strangers. These terms describe one who is living in a land that is not his own. Peter may have been calling the believers temporary residents, referring to their home in heaven and not in this physical world. He urges them to stay away from worldly, fleshly desires. Believers are not exempt from temptations caused by desires of all kinds that seek to destroy their spiritual life and make them ineffective in their witness to others. This spiritual war pits believers against evil desires.

Lord Jesus, I long for my home in heaven, but until then, help me to live for You each day. Give me strength and wisdom to avoid the evil that tries to ensnare me.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)