Thursday Devo
Scripture:
1 Peter 3
10 For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
10 For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
Commentary:
3:10–12 Peter draws on Ps. 34:12–16 (see note on 1 Pet. 2:3). To love life and see good days is the result of the “blessing” (3:9) of God in one’s life. Peter says this will come to the person who will keep his tongue from evil and who will turn away from evil and do good. Obedience to God in daily life is the path to experiencing God’s blessing (cf. Ps. 34:4–10), and by implication disobedience will lead to God’s discipline (cf. Ps. 34:16, 21; Heb. 12:4–11). Peter continues his quotation of Psalm 34: For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous (to observe and care for them) and his ears are open to their prayer (for various needs and cares). This does not mean that God keeps obedient believers from suffering (cf. 1 Pet. 2:19–23; 3:14, 17; 4:12–19) but that God will provide his grace “to strengthen and establish” believers in the midst of suffering (5:10) and in times of great need (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 4:16).
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2410.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2410.
Questions:
- Peter has told us what we should do (love people) and what we shouldn't do (retaliate), and now he tells us why... "For the Scriptures say..." Once again Peter is quoting Scripture as the authoritative truth. He's saying that our motivation for doing what is right is OBEDIENCE. Jesus said to LOVE Him is to OBEY Him. Based on this definition, how would you rate your level of love for Jesus? How would HE rate your love for Him?
- In verse 10, Peter warns us about the words we use. Scripture clearly teaches that the tongue is prone to sin. It's like a tiny rudder that turns the whole ship. James 3 says that it's a "whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself." Woah! And do you know what comes out of your mouth according to Jesus? What's in your heart. Has your tongue set your life on fire recently? What does the way you speak say about what is in your heart?
Pray:
- That you would prove your love for Jesus today by your level of obedience.
- That you would let the Holy Spirit guide your words today.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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