“As people who obey God, do not let yourselves be shaped by the evil desires you used to have when you were still ignorant.” 1 Peter 1:14 CJB
This verse is affirming a truth about me as a believer: I obey God. Internally I might counter: well, sometimes I obey God but sometimes I don’t. And while this may in some sense be accurate, in a more whole and eternal sense, it is not; I obey God. Period. This is the standing that I have before Him, blessed be His Name. And those evil desires that I used to have (and still struggle with), I don’t need to let them shape and define me anymore! Even though they may still be there, flitting through my consciousness and tempting me in ways, I don’t have to give in to them! I am free to turn away from them and choose to walk in obedience because, by the way, I obey God; I belong and answer only to Him.