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1Peter 3:10-12 follows a summary of how we are to live as believers –
1Peter 3:8-9 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
1Peter 3:10-12 For, "LET HIM WHO MEANS TO LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING GUILE. "AND LET HIM TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; LET HIM SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE UPON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”
1Peter 3:10-12 For, "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." NASB95
Verse 10 begins with a small yet significant word – For. This word assigns a reason, or gives an explanation in this case, of the necessity of seeking to live in a manner which glorifies God.
Look at the first phrase in verse 10, ‘Let him who means to love life and see good days’.
Do you love life? Do you determine to love life, choose to love life?
Seriously, we should make a choice to love life. What are your thoughts when you go to bed, when you get up in the morning? Do you view your time on earth as a gift from God or a burden to get through?
We should desire good days – they are opportunities to sing praise of His power and creation; to serve others in labor, and to share the Gospel. When you delight in life, you will look upon each moment of breath as a gift.
1Peter 3:10-12 is taken from the book of Psalms. Consider what happens when you engage yourself in trouble. There is no blessing, burdens abound, and yourself and others are hurt. We are exhorted instead to engage ourselves in the doing of good which results in blessing.
Psalm 34:11-17 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
One commentary poses this question, “Seeing all men naturally desire happiness, he wonders why they cast themselves willingly into misery?”, 1599 Geneva Bible Notes.
God has graciously given His children a ‘road map’ which gives instruction and guidance on how to live blessed in His protection and care. If we seek to refrain from speaking evil and deceit; if we seek to do good and pursue righteousness; if we promote peace; then we will be blessed.
Notice I included the NASB95 in the translation of 1Peter 3:10-12 above. The word refrain is an imperative, meaning ‘to make stop’. A genuine follower of Christ will seek to live in a way which glorifies His name. This is not an option. We must keep from evil if we desire to be blessed.
Consider your actions and your words – Do they lead others towards God or away from Him? Do we seek to be a blessing to those around us?
Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary says, “The words should be an exact representation of the truth”, he goes on to quote Rosenmuller, and a passage from the Hebrew book Musar, on Jewish ethics written in the 18th century, “A certain Assyrian wandering through the city, cried and said, 'Who will receive the elixir of life?' The daughter of Rabbi Jodus heard him, and went and told her father. 'Call him in,' said he. When he came in, Rabbi Jannei said to him, 'What is that elixir of life which thou art selling?' He said to him, 'Is it not written, What man is he that desireth life, and loveth days that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile. Lo, this is the elixir of life which is in the mouth of a man!'"
Our words are powerful. Power must be treated with care.
James 1:19-20 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
“Such meekness is the best expedient to secure your peace and quiet with men, as well as protection and favor with God”, Dean Stanhope.
Consider again the word refrain in our text. This must be taken as a warning and with the understanding that we need a warning because we struggle with evil speaking.
Think!
How easy is it for you to naturally fall into defending yourself by dragging someone else down?
Or perhaps, you choose to lie – just a little bit – because being completely honest might have negative consequences. Are you prone to whisper behind someone’s back?
James 3:2-10 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
Consider what is being said here – if we truly want to love and enjoy life, to see good days; not in the sense of everything is butterflies and roses, but in our understanding and perspective of God’s plan, then we will keep our speech from evil. This is a treasured ‘recipe’ God has given to His children. When our speech is harmful it is an indication that our heart is in turmoil. Perhaps you are acquainted with someone who is always ‘picking’ a fight, or has a complaint against another. There is turmoil in their heart; they are not restful, not loving life, and certainly not enjoying life. Maybe on the outside it looks as if they are, but inside a multitude of sorrows and problems have taken hold.
Proverbs 3:1-4 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 8:34-36 "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. "For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. "But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death."
In 1Peter 3:10, our speech was addressed; now in verse 11, action and behavior take center stage. The words used literally mean to eschew, to avoid, to deliberately go out of the way to avoid evil. Again, let us not miss the imperative – “He must turn away”. This is not a suggestion.
1Peter 3:11 "AND LET HIM TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; LET HIM SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Job is an example of one who shunned evil.
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.
We must turn away from evil and do good – not just in some situations, but in every circumstance. Think! Doing good, using kind words and actions, is not so difficult when others are reciprocating in the like. But, when others may not be so kind or cause trouble, or even urge you to fight, what is your response?
We must be continuously set on following God’s truths rather than the world’s troubles. Regardless of the words we hear, and regardless of the actions we see – we are to pursue righteousness. Think of our greatest example, Jesus. He suffered and died for us even while we sinned against Him. I have these words written on a canvas, which is a good reminder – ‘The Measure of Love is to Love without Measure’. Genuine love takes no account. You have heard the words, ‘a tit for a tat’. This is the opposite of loving without measure! It means an equivalent given in return or retaliation. Or ‘blow for blow’. A rhyme from the mid 1800’s in Notes &Queries (2nd series, vol.12, July-December 1861), seems to explain the meaning rather well:
“Tit for tat,
Butter for fat;
If you kill my dog,
I’ll kill your cat.”
Most likely, you have heard a child say, ‘but they started it first’. Then a verbal or physical fight ensues, both parties trying to one-up the other for the sole purpose of ‘winning’ the fight. Unfortunately, adults can easily take part in this kind of behavior because we think we have something to prove. Or we think so highly of our own opinions that we are convinced others are wrong and it is our business to make them think differently. Instead we are to turn from evil words and actions. Instead of spending your time judging another for what they have done wrong or where they need to improve; or feeling hurt and unappreciated because no one seems to agree with or listen to you, maybe looking inside to yourself and see where you might need to change is a better use of time. Never does God tell us to stir up trouble, purposefully causing discord.
1Peter 3:11 in the KJV reads, Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. The words emphasized are direct opposites. Eschew means to avoid, ensue means to follow or practice. We are not only to run from evil, but we are also to run towards peace. It is not enough to just avoid that which is harmful or bad. We are to pursue the things that are profitable and good. When you consider pursuing something, it is a picture of following after something, to be in a quest for something, to search or hunt for something. Pursuing something takes time and devotion. It can be difficult to be at peace with those around you. It really does take effort and having the mindset of Christ’s humility. There is no room for insistence, or pride. In fact, look back to 1Peter 3:8-9, “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing”.
“A peaceful spirit – a calm, serene, and equal temper of mind – is favourable to health, avoiding those corroding and distracting passions which do so much to wear out the physical energies of the frame; and such a spirit will preserve us from those contentions and strifes to which so many owe their death. Let any one reflect on the numbers that are killed in duels, in battles, and in brawls, and he will have no difficulty in seeing how a peaceful spirit will contribute to length of days”, Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary.
Though the commentary above was published in the early 1800’s, its application remains the same. We may not describe the unrest we see as duels and brawls, but obvious unrest and contentions in our society have resulted in death.
Consider what might happen if those who were bothered about their ‘rights’, or decisions made in government, chose to do good and pursue peace instead of arguing and attacking? Certainly, democracy gives voice to opinion, but to what extent are individuals to press their words and actions? How might things look different if men were to turn away from pride, selfishness, and evil, and earnestly practice peace?
“Since the Gospel is established as the perfect system of righteousness, nothing can be really good that is not done by or through the Gospel”, Brethren NT Commentary.
James 1:23-25 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Dr. Hammond, a theologian in the 1600’s commented on 1Peter 3:11, “Let him eschew evil. Abstaining from all sin, abounding in works of mercy, seeking and pursuing all peaceableness with all men”.
Psalm 37:27 Depart from evil and do good, so you will abide forever.
Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 16:6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who watches his way preserves his life.
Matthew 6:13-14 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
When you consider the scriptures you just read, are you quick to look at others whom you think need to improve? Or are you able to look at your own error and humbly ask God to help you change?
Let’s move to the final verse in this section of study and answer these questions:
Why should we put the effort into keeping our speech and action from evil?
Why should we strive for peace?
1Peter 3:12 "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 THOSE WHO DO EVIL."
When we strive to act according to God’s will, He will hear us and answer prayer. God will continually care for and protect us. One commentary says the original language is very emphatic, meaning the righteous man is always under God’s care. We have His guardianship and safekeeping. This is phenomenal when you consider who man is and who God is. That He would recognize and protect mere man, because he strives to be obedient, is a blessing totally undeserved. That He would hear our petitions and concerns at all times is a truth we can hold.
1John 5:14-15 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Matthew Poole’s Commentary reads, “God watcheth over them, looks favourably on them, and hears their prayers; This he lays down as a motive to patience under injuries, and to keep us from tumultuating passions, and desires of revenge; that God sees all we suffer, hath a care of us, and is ready to hear, and in due time to help us”.
2Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good.
We read a promise and a warning in 1Peter 3:12. God’s love is very real and something that most people want to talk about and receive; yet His perfect judgment is also very real. This truth should be a catalyst to share Christ’s message of salvation to all those will hear.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
John 9:31 "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.
Would you rather have the benefit of God’s protection or the judgement of His punishment?
Would you rather see God’s love in His eyes for you, or God’s verdict in His face against you?
Do your words and actions come from a heart of genuine love for Jesus?
What are some ways you can apply the truths in 1Peter 3:10-12?
