What wages war against your soul?

I Peter 2:11 (AB)

Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul. 

The word “implore” is translated from the Greek word “parakaleo” that has a sense of urgency to Peter’s beloved (Christian) brothers and sisters.  Parakaleo also translates as “beg”, “beseech”, and “exhort”; in fact the two parts of this verb literally mean, “to call to one’s side” as a father or mother will do with a child with whom a strong talk is needed.  The urgency is to remind a Christian that your soul constantly wages war against evil in the form of forbidden desires, fleshly passions, and whatever is anti-God in our lives.  The world and its value system promotes all these evil things that the faithful Christian is not to take part of or in.  Since you are to be separated from the world (I John 2:15-17), you cannot allow sensual urges to be part of your character.  Yet, you know that sensual urges are extremely strong and they can easily overwhelm and overtake you if you let down your defenses with respect to the filling of the Holy Spirit in your life.  The word “church” (Greek: ekklesia) literally means “called out” so as a member of Christ’s church, you are by definition separated from this world. 

That’s why Peter calls Christians (“beloved”) aliens, strangers, and exiles in this world.  Were you aware that with respect to all that goes on in this world, you are viewed by God as an alien, stranger, and exile?  The best description of the balance that a Christian should achieve by needing to live in this world yet not be influenced by its values is found in James 1:27.  Look this up and meditate on it.  This verse is commonly called the principle of involvement (help others in need) and separation (keep yourself unaffected---unstained---by the world). 

The main reason that Christians are called aliens and strangers and exiles (also other translations use words like pilgrims, foreigners, and sojourners) in this world is the fact that your true home is in heaven, not here.    

Christian singers Degarmo and Key recorded a song called “Aliens and Strangers”.  Reflect on their lyrics:

Sunday morning, the pews are filled, with friends of mine, yea, friends of mine
And for the first time, I look around and I realize, I realize

My closest friends are aliens and strangers, travelers here, living with danger,

My closest friends are aliens and strangers, travelers here, living with danger

I used to wonder why they act so strange, now I know, yeah now I know
I heard the preacher say this world we're in is not our home, it's not our home

My closest friends are aliens and strangers, travelers here, living with danger,

My closest friends are aliens and strangers, travelers here, living with danger.

They're pilgrims just passing through, heroes away from their homeland
And since I've discovered the truth, I look at my friends and I can't help but think that….
All my friends, they're aliens, just passing through, yeah, they're aliens
My closest friends, oh they're aliens. Just passing through, just passing through.