Turn from evil
1 Peter 3:8-12 (NIV) 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
When we read Peter’s instructions to the Christians scattered throughout Asia, how many of us relate to these words? As Christ followers, we are called to model our lives after Jesus, who knew no sin. Therefore, the idea that we should even consider speaking evil or returning insult for insult should be foreign to us. Yet, it is Christians to whom this letter is written.
We should remember that although we have invited the Lord of Lords to enter our hearts, we still live in a fleshly vessel. As such, we are subject to the same desires and temptations as those who have no relationship with Jesus. But because we have the Holy Spirit, we can overcome the world.
As Peter said, BE like-minded, BE sympathetic, LOVE one another, BE compassionate and BE humble. If we are to live as Christ lived, we cannot just think on these things, we must act.
May we keep the Word in our hearts and the name of Jesus on our lips so that we may not sin against God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Seeking Holiness 