“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” (1 Peter 1:14)
Peter continues to answer the “what now?” question with this verse. After describing all God has done to bring us into his family, to secure our future with him in eternity, to reveal to us the mystery of Jesus, what should a child of God do with the years we have left on Earth before we get to heaven?
Peter says the next step for us is to learn to say to ourselves one of the most powerful words in any language: “No.” Before we knew Jesus, he says, we were ignorant – not stupid, but literally clueless. We didn’t know any better than to do what we wanted to do.
Now, he says, learn to be who you are – a child of the King – by learning to say “no” to your want for wrong things. You might still want to do evil – satisfying your legitimate desire for pleasure, glory, and security in illegitimate ways like having sex outside of marriage, hurting others for revenge, and living for money.
Instead, Peter says, don’t conform to yourself. Rebel. Do what doesn’t come naturally. Say no to sin.
Think: Have you ever thought about rebelling against your own desire to do wrong? How can exercising your power in the Holy Spirit NOT to sin feel like freedom?
Pray: Ask God to help you to not conform to your evil desires.
Do: Make a list of 2-3 “evil desires” you can intentionally say no to this week with God’s power in you.