June 4
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KEEP YOUR MOUTH FROM EVIL & PURSUE PEACE
10 For, “THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. 11 HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.12 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 EVILDOERS.” – 1 Peter 3:10-12
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In this letter, Peter warns all believes to stay away from evil. He says that if we desire life and witness good day, he gives us the formula for doing so.
Here are some of the things he wants all of us to do so we can never be waylaid to go the wrong way:
1. Refrain from saying evil things – Let your mouth only speak what is right and what gives life. Luke 6:45 reiterates this warning of Peter to the believers. It says that “for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”
2. Do not let any lie or deceit come out of your lips – When you say things that are not true, you are opening doors for more sins. If we always align our thoughts with God’s will, we will never utter a lie or deceive anyone.
3. Turn your back from any wickedness and turn towards good – When we encounter temptations, we must literally turn around towards the Lord and obey his word. Obedience to God is the only weapon we have against the devil. He flees from anyone who is faithful to obey, depend and trust in the Lord.
4. Seek peace and pursue it- Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which is a result of the constant abiding in Christ. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. You can only experience it when you seek Him. The only thing that this world offers is the opposite of peace.
Peter gives the reason why we need to follow these pointers in verse 12. God gives favor to those who are pure, holy and righteous and He listens to their prayers attentively. The Lord will not even hear or turn towards those who do wicked things.
In this world we live in, evil is so pervasive. Everywhere we look, we are faced with many forms of wickedness. Sometimes, they are even packaged very nicely and subtly that we don’t even discern that they are deceptions and manipulations to trick us into engaging in it. I love how Peter admonishes all believers and challenges them to live holy lives that gives praise and honor to God alone.
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REFLECTION
• Why is refraining from speaking evil and pursuing peace such a challenge?