ESCHEW EVIL & SEEK PEACE

1 Peter 3:10-11 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Although not a word for word quotation, Peter paraphrases Psalms 34:12-14 in these two verses used as our lesson text. Please read and give consideration to that text for additional insight into this lesson.

In the two preceding verses, as well as our lesson text, Peter delivers a wonderful lesson to Christians in Asia Minor, as well as Christians throughout the world, including you and me, today. Peter emphasizes unity within the church as an essential element in obedience to God, and a necessary step toward the salvation of our souls. He then gives us a number of Christian attitudes and characteristics that are to be included in church unity. All are to be likeminded in love and compassion for fellow Christians, for they are our spiritual family on earth - our brothers and sisters in Christ. All are told to be pitiful, be courteous, or, as rendered in the Revised Version, tenderhearted and humbleminded (Vs. 8).

In verse 9, Peter tells us, that Christians are not to avenge, or return in kind, the misdeeds of others against ourselves, but contrariwise blessings. Children of God are to return good deeds for bad, blessing instead of cursing, and when spoken of in a railing or reviling manner, they are to, in turn, speak kindly of others. And why are Christians to react in this manner to the evil and railing of others? Peter says, because this is what a Christian is called to do, in order to be blessed while here on earth, as well as to have the hope of eternal life in heaven. Jesus spelled out these characteristics in His "sermon on the mount", by teaching His followers, and all Christians today, to resist not evil, turn the other cheek, give more than asked, go farther than required, and give to those asking for assistance. Finally, He tells us to, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (See Mat. 5:39-44).

Who does not want to love life, and see good days? Who does not want to live a long life and experience happiness and prosperity? Such is the earthly blessing available to the obedient Christian - those that obey the teachings found in these few verses that tell us to have compassion one for another, and brotherly love. Not only should our deeds demonstrate this love and compassion, but our verbal conversations as well. Lies, slander, and false testimony are just a few ways men and women of the world speak evil against their fellow human beings. We are not to speak guilefully or deceitfully to, or about, others. Evil words are often just as hurtful as evil acts, while guileful words often lead others astray.

The thoughts of this lesson are summed up in verse 11. We are to eschew evil, meaning we are to avoid all evil deeds and conversation; even to avoid the very appearance of such. In its place, we are to do good. Love and compassion are to be our guide in what we say and do to and for others. We are also to seek peace, and ensue it. In seeking peace, we are to search diligently for it. Such a Christian attribute does not seek us out, rather, we must embrace it to the extent that we desire it, look for it, and, when found, put it on as clothing and wear it in all walks of life. To ensue it, means that we are to recognize peace as an end that is worth pursuing. Peace is certainly worth the effort put forth to obtain it.

The apostle Paul supports the teaching of Peter in our lesson text. In Galatians 6:10, Paul taught the Christian responsibility of doing good deeds. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Regarding peace with our fellow man, Paul told the Roman brethren, If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Rom. 12:18). In Matthew 5:9, Jesus gives us this assurance: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

The Revised King James Version of the bible translates verse eleven clearly. It teaches that every Christian has the responsibility to ...turn away from evil, and do good; ...seek peace, and pursue it. This is Peter's message to all that will love life, and see good days.