How to Have a Really Good Day

I Peter 3:10–12
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Conflict

Although the arrangement of the text does not show it, verses 10-12 are a poem quoted from Psalm 34:13-17. This poem sums up the implications of humility for all aspects of life in general. The person who wants a truly happy life, enjoying all God’s blessings, must turn away from evil in both word and deed. Peter was warning the believers that conflict may be just around the corner so they had  better prepare. He gave them four principles that we may need when we are having a bad day:

  1. We must deliberately decide to love life- “love life."  We can decide to endure life and make it a burden or enjoy life because we know God is in control. What appears to be “bad  days” to the world can be “good days” for a Christian. A good example of this is how the persecuted Church in Russia and China has grown under communism. 
  2. We must control our tongue - “refrain his tongue.” Wrong words spoken in the wrong spirit can get us into all kinds of trouble.
  3. We must hate evil and do good - “eschew evil and do good.” The word “eschew” means more than just to avoid something but that  you hate it. It is not enough for us to  avoid sin because it is wrong; we need to shun it because we hate it.
  4. We must seek and pursue peace - “seek peace and ensue it.” If we go out seeking trouble we will be sure to find it; but if we seek peace, we can find it as well. This simply means that a Christian needs to exercise moderation as he relates to people and does not create problems because he wants to have his own way (Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18).

Application

The next time I am tempted to think I am having a “bad day” I need to read Psalm 34 and discover I am really having a “good day.”

I Peter 3:10-12 (English Standard Version)


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