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1 Peter 2:11
11 Dearly beloved [agapetos], I beseech [parakaleo] you as [hos] strangers [paroikos] and [kai] pilgrims [parepidemos], abstain from [apechomai] fleshly [sarkikos] lusts [epithumia], which [hostis] war [strateuomai] against [kata] the soul [psuche]; KJV-Interlinear
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. NASB
When in Rome …, does not apply in the Christian life. As aliens or strangers, Christians are travelers in a foreign land. Heaven is our true home, and as of the moment, we are not home, but visitors in a strange or foreign land.
Whenever one travels to a foreign place, even for an extended visit, you do not adopt the customs or beliefs, of that foreign land. Christians have their own customs and principles mandated by God through doctrine. We adhere to our principles. Principles of truth, and not the standards, or cultural rituals or habits of the foreign inhabitants.
Christians do not give even the slightest nod of respect to the beliefs of the foreign land.
Why? Because, truth does not recognize lies. Truth is the basis of the principles, which originate in heaven. Lies are the basis of the principles, habits, rituals, customs, etc., which originate in this world.
Job did not defer to the comments of his friends, Daniel did not bow to the false idol, Christians should understand the principles taught in the Bible, and as such, should understand that all religions, cults, cultures, beliefs that originate in this world, are false and do not deserve even the slightest of recognition.
To recognize them is to give them some form of credit and legitimacy, which they are not.
Islam is not true, and is not honorable. Judaism is not true and is not honorable. Hinduism, Buddhism, Scientology, and the list goes on, are not true, and therefore not honorable.
You do not go out of your way to be rude. You do not make a mockery of the beliefs of others. You do not act condescending, or ridicule what others do in a foreign land. You are polite and respectful in your manner, but most important of all, you do not adopt their views, customs, rituals, etc.
The believers’ home is heaven. The believers’ home country is heaven. Planet earth is not our home, we are but mere visitors, traveling through, and therefore do nothing to take up residence in this world as though we were going to live here forever.
The fleshy lusts, is a reference to all of the views of the world which run contrary to Bible doctrine. From sins to crimes to the massive complex of arrogance attitudes, these all are the product of the sin nature, and the pattern of life, which takes you away from your true home (heaven), while trying to assimilate you into a permanent foreign home.
Life is a battle for your soul. God provides truth, and allows you to decide what you will do. The sin nature deceives, lies, entices, and does everything possible to get you to go against God, Christ, doctrine, and your spiritual life.
On a level playing field, if everything were played fairly, the sin nature could never win anything. But the sin nature must deceive in order to win. The sin nature must lie, must cheat, must do underhanded things, in order to get you to follow its lifestyle.
Just as we see the dirty politics of the current day, where anyone who runs against truth, must lie, deceive, exaggerate, and cheat in order to get elected. If the masses are not doctrinally oriented, then evil gets elected.
Likewise, if you are nor doctrinally oriented, if you have been lacking in your spiritual life, then you are susceptible to the assimilation of the world, of the foreign land you are visiting, and the repercussions of your failure, will be tremendous suffering, loss and failure in your life.
Peter is issuing you a very severe warning here. The war is good verses evil. Your soul is at stake. The repercussions of your decisions will turn your life into valueless garbage, or someone of infinite value. The state of your life will be either constant pressure and insecurity, or a relaxed mental attitude with confidence in God.
The battle is very real, and the repercussions are very real.
