Week 19
1 Peter 3:10-12 “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
This New Testament passage leans hard on Psalm 34 in the Old Testament. Thus, we have here a repetition of these important concepts in life. The meaning of this passage might be summarized as follows: “If you want to have a good life, to experience and see good times in your life, it is imperative that you learn to hold your tongue and to seek peace with others. Always try to do what is right, because this is what God is interested in. It is the Lord that we must please.”
Throughout the New Testament we have repeated verses on controlling one’s tongue and seeking peace with others in our relationships. Indeed, these things are vital if we are to enjoy a good life in this world.
In our modern society there is an intoxication with “newness” and electronic gadgetry, but it is the old ways that we truly need. Living in this world and relating to each other in this world must follow old paths that are well-worn by many feet that have trodden down their dusty way.
Today in our devotion perhaps we should pause and re-commit ourselves to tongue-control and seeking peace with others in our lives. This requires wisdom, discernment, and self-control. But most of all it requires God’s grace and strength. It is difficult, and indeed impossible, to live a life that is all that it should be; we fail in so many ways every day. But this fact should not change our spiritual targets in life. God has established in the Scriptures how we should live together; these truths are truly true, no matter how difficult they may be to implement.
It is interesting that Peter (writing in 1 Peter) and David (writing in Psalm 34) include in their passages the important idea that God listens to our prayers, and it is what the Lord thinks about us that matters, not other people and their opinions. When we begin to contemplate how to live together, it is necessary that we remember that what ultimately matters in life is to live to please the Lord. It is He who rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. It is the Lord that determines whether an action is right or wrong. We must not live to please others or be in fear of others; we must live before God who knows the truth about us and who will call us into account.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help this day to control my speech and to pursue peace with others. And help me to remember that what is most important is Your evaluation of my life. Thank You. Amen.
