Introduction:

Today's message should come with a warning. Caution: This passage requires no interpretation. Peter writes Chapter 3 in a way that makes my job very easy. No one has to dig deep to figure out what Peter is trying to say here. His words are plain and straightforward. It's impossible to miss his point.

So, let's listen to what he has to say: "Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it" (vv. 8–9).

Any questions so far? If we're not careful, it's easy to forget the priority that Scripture places on unity. We sometimes get a little sidetracked with our pet theologies—health and wealth, or who will be left behind and when will it happen, or how many Isaiahs there were, or any number of secondary issues. Meanwhile, God makes it clear: he wants us to get along. And he makes it clear that doing so is foundational to Christian living.

Peter wrote this letter to Christians who are suffering all kinds of trials—slaves suffering at the hands of an abusive master, citizens suffering persecution from an oppressive government, everyday believers suffering slander and mistreatment from those in their community who are hostile to the Christian faith. The primary theme in this epistle is how to deal with suffering, and yet, in the middle of the book, Peter talks about how to experience "the good life."

Let's listen again. He is quoting from Psalm 34 when says, "If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others" (v. 10).

There is not one among us who doesn't want "a happy life and good days." That's why Peter has made my job so easy this morning. He tells us how to get that which we certainly all want: the good life. In these verses he mentions three things that are fundamental to finding happiness in your day-to-day existence. Today we'll take a look at each of them. And I can make you a promise: To the extent that you incorporate these principles into your life, your quality of living will improve.

Here are three things you need to do. First of all ...

Think about what you say.

We forget how important our words are. Do you realize how much of your life is spent talking? The average person speaks about twenty-five thousand words per day. That would be about fifty pages in print, which means that every week you speak approximately the equivalent of a John Grisham novel (though, hopefully, you don't use as many clichés). If all your words were put on paper, each year you would compile a personal library of more than fifty such novels. That's a big stack of books, isn't it? The act of speaking takes up about one-fifth of your life.

Now, here's my point: If you spend twenty percent of your life doing something, doesn't it deserve your careful attention? Isn't it worth doing right? Peter said, "If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies" (v. 10).

We're picking up where we left off last week, when Peter showed us how Jesus responded to mistreatment: "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was abused he did not return abuse; when he suffered he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly" (1 Pet. 2:22–24 nasv).

Jesus set an example for how to respond to mistreatment—and the example is seen primarily in what he didn't say. No deceit, no insults, no threats. In following his example, Peter tells us to "keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies" (1 Pet. 3:10).

Most human conflict begins on the verbal level. It's what we say that causes problems at work, in our marriage, among our friends, even at church. Keep your tongue from speaking evil. Proverbs says. "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who use it will eat its fruit" (Prov. 18:21 niv).

Think about what you say: "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly comes to ruin" (Prov. 13:3 niv).

Think about what you say: "There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of the sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Prov.12:18 nasv).

Think about what you say. Your words carry weight and they come with consequences. Do you want to improve the quality of your life? Begin today to put this principle into practice. Keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.The best way to get started in this direction is to practice not saying anything at all. Solomon said, "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise" (Prov. 10:19).

Think about what you say. Talk less. Practice silence. And when you do speak, speak carefully—and look for words that will encourage the hearts of those who hear you. Charles Colton said, "We should have all our communications with men as in the presence of God, and with God as in the presence of men."

One key to living the good life is getting in the habit of thinking about what you say. The next key is ...

Think about what you do.

Peter said, "If you want a happy life and good days… [t]urn away from evil and do good" (vv.10–11). Maybe Calvin Coolidge had this verse in mind when he said, "Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil; our great hope lies in developing what is good."

We all know that there are do's and don'ts in life that we have to live by, but some people never get past focusing on the don'ts. Some Christians define their faith by what they don't do: I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't listen to secular music, I don't wear certain types of clothes, I don't let my children watch Disney movies, and on and on. And, of course, there are more serious types of evil that we have to turn away from, such as gossip, anger, jealousy, selfish ambition, lust, greed, and so on. But my point is that in addition to turning away from doing bad things, we need to also put some energy into doing good things.

At the end of the day, when you evaluate your performance, what are the criteria you use to grade yourself? Do you say, "Well, it was a good day because I didn't scream at my kids, I didn't lie to a single client, and I didn't punch the guy at the bank that seemed to be asking for it"? Is that you how you do it?

Or do you grade yourself according to the good you have done? "It was a good day because I had a great time alone with God this morning, and I had a chance to witness to someone at work, and I had a great meal with my family, and tonight I had the opportunity to serve in a ministry at church." Is that how you evaluate your day?

We need to keep an eye on both, of course. We need to turn away from the evil that always seeks to creep into our lives. And, as important, we need to seek out opportunities to do good. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah: "Wash yourselves. Make yourselves clean. Remove the evil of your deeds from my sight. Cease to do evil" (Isa.1:16). When many people think about having a relationship with God, this is what they think it entails: repent; turn from evil; clean up your life. But Isaiah continues, "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Reprove the ruthless. Defend the orphan. Plead for the widow" (Isa.1:17).

Do you want to experience the good life? Make it a daily priority to find opportunities to do good. Proverbs says, "A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man's hands will return to him (Prov. 12:17).

It's not about keeping score so that you can pat yourself on the back. It is about evaluating your life to ensure that you live by your priorities. Look for chances to do good, and do it. Third ...

Think about your attitude toward others.

Peter says, "If you want a happy life and good days…Work hard at living in peace with others" (vv. 10–11). Peter understood something about relationships, because he got the "work hard" part right. It's not easy to live at peace with others, but it's necessary.

Paul wrote, "So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up one another" (Rom. 14:19 nasv). He also said, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men" (Rom. 12:18 nasv).

You probably have a reason to hold a grudge against every person you know. More than likely your spouse has said something at some point, or done something at some time, that you could hold against him or her forever, if you wanted. The same can be said for the ministry team here. Probably each staff member has said something, done something, didn't say something, didn't do something, went one place instead of another, took the wrong day off, or forgot to shake hands with at least one person in this room. Most likely, everyone here has a reason to resent at least one staff member. Maybe more—we're not perfect. The same can be said for your co-workers and your employer. Everyone here has a good reason to hold a grudge against someone. Now, let me tell you what you need to do. Get over it. Rise above it. Let it go.

Do you want to improve your standard of living? Think about your attitude toward others. Work hard at living in peace with them. In fact, I challenge you to make it your goal to be better at this than anyone else. In your family, at your job, in the church, work harder at getting along than anyone else is willing to work. Be more patient than anyone else is willing to be. Bend more than anyone is willing to bend.

Some of you may wonder, Will this make me like some kind of doormat? No, it will make you like Jesus. And God will see what you do. Listen to Peter's words: "The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers" (v. 12). It's as simple as this: When you make an effort to get along with others, God takes notice.

Conclusion

Philip Bailey said, "The goodness of the heart is shown in deeds of peacefulness and kindness." Our actions tend to reflect our nature. What we do tells the world who we are.

So who are we? We are God's people, who have been saved through the power of his blood and his resurrection. We have experienced his forgiveness, his mercy, and his acceptance. And we have been given eternal life through his Son, Jesus Christ. How can we respond? By treating others as God has treated us.

Think about what you say. Follow the example of Jesus. Be slow to speak; keep silent if necessary.

Think about what you do. Every day look for the chance to do something for someone else, and do it.

Think about your attitude toward others, even with those who have offended you. Seek to be at peace with everyone. Try harder than anyone else is willing to try.

If you apply these standards to your life, your standard of living will change. According to God's promise, he will take notice, and, according to his promise, you will experience happiness and good days.

© Steve May

www.PreachingToday.com

A resource of Christianity Today International

Steve May has been a pastor to pastors for more than 20 years, helping preachers and teachers to become more effective communicators of the gospel.