Your Tongue Is The Problem. Seek And Pursue Peace

Dear Saints,

"Refrain Your Tongue from Speaking Evil and Deceit"

Last week, we learned to be of one mind, "the mind of Christ," love one another, be courteous, and repay evil with good.

Today, apostle Peter emphasizes the point by quoting Psalm 34:12-16 as follows, 1 Peter 3: 11-12:

"But on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

 ¹⁰ For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. ¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

"Refrain Your Tongue from speaking Evil and Deceit?" Almost impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. Who has ever done so? If that's the case, why is the admonition here, and those spoken to are expected to obey? Remember the words of Apostle James:

 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." Read James 3:1-12 for the tongue.

Notice that refraining your tongue from speaking evil and deceit comes with promises- you will have a good life and many days on earth. People are selling all kinds of products for good health to prolong your life; and to give you good life. Here's a free product of the Holy Spirit to accomplish that purpose.

We must first sell this product (good words and truth) to ourselves and as many people as possible.

What are you using your tongue for? Have you taken inventory of the things you speak and say daily? You may be surprised. Please let's do so. And make adjustments.

Now to the saints then, what was going on? Why was it necessary for them to obey? It's because their lives were in danger. There was no first amendment then or my right to speak. You better say what is true and encouraging to the authorities. If you spoke contrary, your life is in great danger.

Let's bring it to our time when people can now say almost whatever they want in-person or on the internet. We are in more danger than with authorities, because God himself is our authority. "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous." God is watching us and listening to all our conversations and prayers.

If we keep this in mind, our conversations and deeds will change instantly.

Let's play this game. As often as you can, be the voice of God and speak to yourself after you have talked to people and say, "I HEARD YOU," YOUR LORD AND GOD. I will implement this in my life too. This is a new idea to me. I hope you can do so. Hey, we are not starting a new religion. We are just trying to use behavioral tools to change our habits.

 Did you see the promise of answers to prayers? "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers." Do you want God to hear your prayers? Watch your tongue and what you say to people. Don't blame anyone for unanswered prayers.

You were called to this "that you may inherit a blessing. "What blessing? Life everlasting. This is the real blessing. Yes, God helps us now with our pressing problems, but the true heart of God is that we will be with him forever.

"And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. ⁴ They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads." Revelation 22:3-4.

Can you use your tongue to speak and share the true blessing of Christ? You can give anyone a material gift, but the gift of the word of God last forever. I have heard many well-meaning Christians say oh, the unbelievers will observe our conduct and be attracted to Christ. Very good, and the Scripture encourages that. But there's more. We must also speak words of life to people. "Faith comes by hearing the word of God." People, your family, friends, and foes need to hear the word of God.

How did you come to faith in Christ? Someone spoke to you. You can start with letting the Gospel tract talk for you and gain confidence. Say to anyone Jesus Christ loves us, has died, risen and has taken our punishment for sin. We all have sinned and need to come back to God. You need Jesus; otherwise, you will pay for your own sins, and you can't. Friend, this is the short elevator-version of the Gospel presentation. We all can say it. We spend more time talking about nonconsequential things like the weather and football etc.

Let's speak life and truth to people today and always. It says to refrain from speaking deceit. A deceit is a half-truth and a lie. May God help you and me today. Let's speak words of grace, healing and encouragement to all and always as we have received from God. "For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Luke 6:45.

We must seek peace and pursue peace with all people as long as it depends on us. It starts with speaking kind words even to those who have hurt us. Who will you seek and pursue peace with today? Start now and pray for them. You may have to say to them, "I am sorry" for the mean words.

Peace in relationships don't just happen. We must seek it, do extra work, and pursue/chase after people. Give a call to someone you have not heard from in a long time.

"But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Do you want the face of God against you? The only way to avoid it is to believe/trust Jesus as your Savior. Lord, I repent of my sins and ask you to forgive me and grant me your Holy Spirit to live a good life in You. Amen.