1 Peter 3:10
Thoughts from Pastor Brian
Dive Deeper
“For, ‘The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.’”
1 Peter 3:10
Behind the Scenes
This verse is a direct quote of Psalm 34:12-13 and is as applicable today as it was when David first penned it. Peter references it in his letter to early Christians who were under severe persecution under the reign of Nero. For them, the temptation to speak evil would have been amplified by the circumstances they found themselves in.
Peter understood this temptation and he wrote to encourage the believers to avoid it. Under such cruel circumstances, I can imagine the temptation to be careless with their words, even in private, would have felt almost justified. When faced with such a difficult existence, when faced with unfair persecution, when faced with such hatred and evil coming their way- I can imagine it would have felt easy to fight fire with fire, so to speak.
But God, speaking through Peter, calls them to a better way. He calls them to keep their tongues from speaking evil and to keep their lips from speaking deceit. Why? Because God’s ways are always better, and He did not want His people to sink to the level of their persecutors. He called them to be set apart and holy. And that included the way they talked.
Make it Real
Like the early Christians in Peter’s time, we can all too easily fall into the trap of speaking before we think or pray. I don’t know about you, but I have been guilty of this on far too many occasions. I find that my tongue gets away from me most when I am stressed, when my feelings are hurt, when I feel disrespected, or when I feel rejected. In these situations, speaking in a way that is less than honoring to God feels almost too natural. It feels justified…especially right in the moment.
But all too often when the situation cools down and a level head prevails, I regret the words I spoke in frustration, anger, embarrassment, or hurt. I wish I had kept my mouth shut and let the Spirit speak to my heart. When I am led by my feelings and not by the Spirit, I inevitably find myself with my foot in my mouth feeling ashamed of how I acted.
See, we are not alone in this struggle. The Israelites in King David’s time needed this advice. The early Christians in Peter’s time needed this advice. And we need it today. It is human nature to be ruled by our emotions. But that path always leads to death. God calls us to a better way- He calls us to slow down, restrain our tongues, and embrace life.
Can you recall a time in your life when your emotions got away from you? Even if the situation felt justified and the words felt right in the moment, didn’t you feel the sting of guilt later? Is there someone that needs your apology for careless words launched in emotions? How can you take strides this week to control your tongue, even in the heat of stress, discouragement, oppression, or fear?
Crystal Garnett
ACF Digital Discipleship Team Leader
End in Prayer
Lord,
Please help me to slow down. Even when I am hurt, angry, stressed, or offended- teach me what it means to wait on Your leading and not my emotions. Please help me to control my tongue and not say something I will later regret. Thank You that through Your power and Your Spirit living inside me, I am able to make a change.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.