Withdraw from Fleshly Lusts. 1 Peter 2:11-12 There was a time when the leaders of our country unashamedly proclaimed their trust in God. Little by little our leaders have spoken less and less of God. We have “exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” Homosexuality, once an unspeakable sin, has become not only acceptable and respectable but also honored and given special privilege. Even religious institutions have ordained men and women to their clergy; and “same-sex marriage” is being practiced in some states. Yes, for the time being, our coins retain the motto: “In God We Trust.’ Mottos, however, do not always represent the true state of things. Whether a nation trusts in God is indicated more by their actions than by their mottos. The early Christians faced persecution and experienced suffering for their faith in Christ. Peter reminded them of their identity as God’s people—formed by Christ and sent out on His mission. As Christians, we should abstain from the “sinful desires” of the world. But why? Peter offered three reasons. Reason 1: you are strangers and pilgrims on earth (v.11).Reason 2: lust wars against your soul (v.11).Reason 3: unbelievers are watching (v.12). When we give in to sinful desires, we damage our influence, we do harm to our Christian testimony. We are to so live that when non-Christians scrutinize our lives, they will not find anything to slander but instead they will glorify God.