Grudem: To give in to such sinful desires...

Peter says that sinful desires that remain in our hearts “wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11)—the military language correctly translates Peter’s expression and conveys the imagery that sinful desires within us are like soldiers in a battle and their target is our spiritual well-being. To give in to such sinful desires, to nurture and cherish them in our hearts, is to give food, shelter, and welcome to the enemy’s troops. If we yield to the desires that “wage war” against our souls, we will inevitably feel some loss of spiritual strength, some diminution of spiritual power, some loss of effectiveness in the work of God’s kingdom.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 506). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

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