War: The people of God are at war. Our enemy strategizes to breach the walls and burn down the citadels, and he points his weapons at our most critical asset: our soul. He is the assassin of the soul. And Satan ensures a continuous supply of reinforcements for this enemy (5:8; Eph. 2:2; 6:12). Who is this enemy? Fleshly lusts. Peter urges us toward one simple battle strategy: keep distance.[1] This is an enemy who wishes to befriend you and settle down within the city walls and ignite fires from within. The fool gets chummy with and invites in lust. The wise stand guard and keep a safe buffer, a DMZ, for the mind. The pure in heart (Matt. 5:8) remain alert and aim their guns toward the DMZ, always ready to shoot every infiltrator of the mind. Brethren, take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and don’t fall prey to this relentless enemy.

Excellent Behavior: God’s people have always been slandered. The church of Peter’s day was reviled for “atheism” (against Roman idols), insubordination (2:13), separatism (4:3-5), even good behavior (3:16). Peter calls us to silence them with our moral excellence (2:15). In the face of persecution, our best ally is our transformed life. A pattern of godliness is the best defense against slander. We are to remain salty and keep our lights bright (Matt. 5:13-16). Un-salty salt and a dim lamp are equally useless, not only as a defense against slander but also as a basis for evangelism.[2] Godly conduct is a weapon in God’s hand to humble the heathen. Be a clean and a useful vessel (2 Tim. 2:21)!

[1] Christians maintain a distance from fleshly lusts. Meaning: “To abstain” is to “keep away from”. ἀπέχω is used this way in Matt. 15:8, Acts 15:20, and 1 Thess. 4:3. Present (imperfective; continual/habitual) middle (your responsibility) infinitive. As Paul simply commands: “flee immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18).

[2] Cf. Eph. 5:11-14; Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 14:24-26.