FOR AN UPBEAT CHRISTIAN LIFE

TEXT: I Peter 3:10 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:
I Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Introduction: This is Peter's use of Psalm 34:12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
Psalm 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Inner peace and enjoyment of life does NOT come from good treatment by others, but MUST come from within. Peter tells us why.

l. Verse 11
A. Negative: Eschew evil--turn aside from-- Christians who would be happy cannot approach sin like a kid approaches a puddle. He splashes through the middle of it and only after he gets home does he wish he had used better judgment.

B. Positive: Do good, (Do- an external act) (Good-the accomplishing of that which is approved) toward others.

C. Positive: Toward one's self

1. Seek peace; (seek--strive to find-not an idle wishing for, but an active search) Peace--a state of untroubled, undisturbed, well-being. eirene = our word = serene

2. Ensue it. -- like chasing after a fleeing prey. What a far cry from looking for constant confrontation!

II Verse 10

A. Refrain his tongue from evil. (refrain = make his tongue to pause from --) literally, don't run off at the mouth unless you have your brain in gear!

B. Evil - ( kakos - generic bad). Embraces all forms of evil; moral, physical, and spiritual.

C. Speak no guile - (dolos = fish bait!) Not only watch your own lips but don't entice or bait others either.

III Verse 12 -- Doing these things assures us of God's favor.

IV Verse 13-- I Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

The implication is that those who would do such things could not incite a rational person.

I Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
I Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
I Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

The result is a happy, productive Christian. (If a man is ready to face God, he can look all men in the eye)