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Children are full of the “why” questions, aren’t they? Why can’t I have a cookie? Why do I have to go to bed? Why do I have to eat lima beans? We all want to know the reason behind what we’re being required to do. It’s human nature. When it comes to spiritual things, sometimes God tells us the why, and sometimes He doesn’t. In this passage, Peter gives us the “why” behind what we’re called to do as Christ-followers. We’re called to give up our sinful ways. God has forgiven us, through Christ, and He wants us to give up those things Peter listed at the beginning of chapter 2: envy, malice, hypocrisy, etc. Why? Sin wages ware against our souls. Let the Holy Spirit lead you and rely on Him when temptation is strong, and in this way, others will praise God because of what they see in you.
1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.