Let Your Behavior Reveal Your Confession of Faith

Let Your Behavior Reveal Your Confession of Faith

1 Peter 2:11-12

 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

The Apostle Peter wrote to Jewish believers who were experiencing corruption and persecution because of their confession of faith in Christ. These believers were living in environments surrounded by people who claimed to believe, yet their actions and character revealed a lack of genuine faith. Peter encouraged the believers to conduct themselves honorably, in both behavior and character—so that when they were wrongly accused, the fruit of their lives would testify on their behalf (1 Peter 2:12).

This passage is relevant for Christians today. As we witness our nation shifting toward monarchy rather than democracy, we as believers cannot afford to follow the crowd and become complicit. Believers were not created to be molded by the world system, but we were created to be transformed by God’s Word and empowered by His Spirit. Here are a few principles that will help us remain anchored in God’s truth, so that we can reflect His image and make a lasting impact on the environment God has placed us in.

We Must Practice “Mission” Living:

It’s imperative for Christians to live godly lives in a non‑Christian environment. Our actions may be the very thing that leads someone to Christ. Our holiness is our witness. Holiness means being set apart for God’s purpose. It requires us to deny our flesh and submit to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Let Your Conduct Preach and Your Good Works Speak:

Peter admonished the believers to “conduct themselves honorably among the Gentiles” (1 Peter 2:12). Many of these Gentiles were brand‑new in their faith, still learning what it meant to follow Christ. Because of their spiritual immaturity, it was essential for the mature Jewish believers to live in a way that matched their confession. Their lives were meant to be a living demonstration of the gospel they proclaimed.

The same tension exists today. Countless people hesitate to trust Christ not because they doubt His goodness, but because they’ve been wounded by someone who claimed to represent Him. A harsh word, a hypocritical action, or an unloving attitude can close a heart faster than any sermon can open it. Peter understood this. That’s why he didn’t tell believers to defend themselves, argue their case, or retaliate when falsely accused. Instead, he said: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Our Perspective Shapes Our Behavior:

When you understand the depth of God’s love for you, your perspective about life and your environment will shift. Your choices begin to flow from confidence rather than fear, from identity rather than insecurity, and from faith rather than pressure. You begin to respond to challenges with grace, to people with patience, and to trials with trust. That is when your behavior naturally begins to reflect His character.

For His glory….

Written by Sandra Kelley (2/20/26)