The Bible is full of practical advice for Christian living. We can learn what God would have us to do from reading the Scriptures, and we can also find the keys to happiness in this life. In 1 Peter 3:10-11, the apostle Peter wrote a simple formula for how a Christian can love life and see good days. He wrote, “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.” Let us notice this three-part formula more closely.
Refrain Our Tongues from Evil, v. 10.
James 3:5-6 tells us that our tongues are little members but boast great things. The tongue is also described as a fire and a world of iniquity. When we use our tongues for positive things such as confessing Christ and preaching the Gospel to others, then the tongue is used for its intended purpose. However, when we misuse the tongue, it can be very dangerous. Misusing the tongue includes gossiping, which is condemned in 1 Timothy 5:13 and cursing, condemned in James 3:10. The context of 1 Peter 3:10-11 also deals with speaking no guile. This means we are not to use our tongues to speak deceitfully. Speaking good things will lead to good results and will save us from so many problems in our lives. It will allow us to love life and see good days.
Eschew Evil and Do Good, v. 11.
The word “eschews” here is found in Job 1:1 where Job is described as “one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Eschew means to avoid; thus Job avoided evil. As a result, he received the praise of Almighty God. We are to avoid foolish and hurtful lusts (1 Timothy 6:9-11). We are also to avoid false teachers (Romans 16:17). Yet, avoiding evil is not enough; we must also do good. I have never been truly happy in my life when I was doing evil. The only true contentment we enjoy is through living a godly life (1 Timothy 6:6).
Seek Peace and Ensue It, v. 11
The word ensue means to pursue. We are commanded to seek and pursue peace in our lives. The Bible says that we as Christians are to be a peaceful people (Hebrews 12:14; Romans 14:19). Of course, we have an inward peace because we trust God (Philippians 4:6, 7), but we also are to live peaceable lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Christians have a peace the world cannot understand, a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27).
Following God’s formula for happiness is a sure way for success. After all, He created us and knows what is best for us. When we do what God would have us to do in our lives, then and only then can we love life and see good days!
