Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (I Peter 2:11 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Abstain
I like the Cruise Control setting on my car.
When I am focused and paying attention to my surroundings, I do not generally speed. But when I am relaxed, at peace, and enjoying the drive, my natural inclination to drive FAST engages. I should just be mature enough to not speed. But the passions of the flesh wage war against my wellbeing. So, I turn on the Cruise Control.
When we are no longer quite so afraid, we can become less vigilant. And our personal wants, yearnings, and felt needs slip into the driver’s seat. Instead of carefully observing what God wants, yearns for, and has declared He needs us to do, we become cozy.
Peter says to stay focused on the Christ instead of on other things.
Not out of fear. But out of habit, focus, attention, and knowledge.
Fear not, then abstain.