“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:15)

We know that this is a command given to the people of God. We know that God would not give us a command that we could not obey. And we should know also, that before God gives us a command, He prepares us to be able to be victorious.

Because in this passage the writer uses instructions of preparation in verses 13 and 14:

(1 Peter 1:13-14) “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”

Being assured that these practical steps are given to us because we have already passed from death into life, which takes care of the Hereafter; then we should be willing to prepare for daily living by practicing being Holy in the Here and Now.

This command can easily be obeyed when the preparations, or practical steps, are broken down into the four parts. There are three parts which are positive in nature (or the “Do’s”) and one part which is negative (the “Don’t”):

• We are to protect our minds from deception;
• We are to prevent from being drunk;
• We are to patiently hope for Jesus’ soon return; and
• We are not to pattern ourselves after the world.

Throughout the Scriptures, we are encouraged how to properly prepare for and practice Holiness in each of the areas mentioned in verses 13 and 14:

• Gird up the loins of your mind: (Ephesians 4:22-23)  “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” and (Ephesians 6:14a) “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…” Protect against deception by learning more Truth, “The Word of God.”
• Be sober: (Ephesians 5:18) “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Being drunk simply means to be under the influence of something, and your actions being controlled by it. Although wine is mentioned, we can be drunk from many different things. We are to prevent being spiritually drunk as children of God, born of His Spirit, and controlled and guided by the same Spirit. Prevent drunkenness by being led by the Holy Spirit.
• Patiently hoping, not doubting:

(2 Peter 3:12-14) “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

Patiently hoping is simply growing in Faith and knowing that God always keeps His Promises:

(Romans 5:2-4) “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” 

• We are not to pattern (be fashioning) ourselves after the darkness of this world any longer: (Romans 12:2a) “And be not conformed to this world…” and

(Philippians 2:12-16) “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (16) Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

In Ephesians chapter 5, we are instructed how to be Holy in conversation as “dear children.”

It is my duty to encourage or admonish those of us who are the children of God to obey His command to be Holy in all manner of conversation. And now that we understand that the Bible defines our conversation as our way of life, then we should not only Preach and Store the Word; but we should also Practice and Show the Word.

Being Holy is to simply Practice what we Preach!