Preparing for the Charge
The War

Scripture Reading:  1 Peter 2:9-12

Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:11

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

The Apostle Peter describes the struggle that all believers are engaged in as a war.  In his words it is the sinful desires that “war against your soul.”  The word chosen by Peter for “war” was “strateuomai,” which literally means to do military duty; to be on active service, be a soldier.  Peter is reminding us that we are in a fight for our eternal lives.  We must abstain from these evil desires yet they are so appealing to our flesh!

            Maybe you have not been a good soldier lately.  Could it be that you have gone AWOL when it comes to this battle against the flesh?  Let today’s scripture call you back into “active service” and recharge your energies to fight the good fight!  In the previous verse Peter encourages us by pointing to the great mercies of God directed toward us.  Let me encourage you to forget the failures of the past and move forward with a soldier’s attitude.  The battle is not easy; it is a fight indeed.  The sinful desires seem so strong, at times alluring us into the old lifestyle, but a soldier understands that those moments are the very moments he has been training for.

            Let’s all determine to read our Bibles, pray daily, and attend church regularly.  Consistency in these training exercises will lead to victory on the battle field!

Father, strengthen my resolve and make me ready to fight the evil one and all his tricks.  I will be your soldier today!  In Jesus’ name, amen.