Month: September 2025

1 Peter 3:11-12

As citizens of the kingdom of God, Christians, being in a unique relationship with Jesus Christ have the responsibility to live in submission to His will. This gives them a Christlike prospective of life and how to interact with and bless others. Therefore, they are called out of love for Him to humbly submit to one another. Also, if believers want to enjoy lifeand see many happy days, they are commanded to keep their tongue from evil and lips from dishonesty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

He further commanded believers to “eschew evil and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it” (v.11). Believers have the responsibility to deliberately shun evil and do good; they are to earnestly desire peace and follow it. There are times when believers may want to return evil for evil. However, they must reflect who they are in Christ. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9).

We know God is omniscient and omnipresent and sees what’s going on with both the righteous and the evil. However, Apostle Peter said, “For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), And His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil” (v.12 AMP). Our heavenly Father cares for His people and is always watching over them. He sees what they’re going through and is eager to answer their prayers while those who practice evil will experience His wrath for His face is against them. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”  

1 Peter 3:10

We read in v.9 Peter encouraged believers to “not return evil with evil or insult with insult, but rather to give a blessing to one another, knowing that for the very purpose of blessing, you are called that you should inherit a blessing.” Yes, it is a challenge for believers to resist the temptation of firing back. Consider that Jesus was hanging on the cross; He said Father “Forgive them for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

Peter continued, “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” (v.10). He instructed Christians to control what words come out of their mouth because words matter. Matthew declared: “But the words you speak come from the heart – that’s what defiles you” (15:18). Proverbs said: “The tongue has the power of life and death…” (18:21). Therefore, Christians are to keep their tongue from evil, saying all manner of mean and hurtful things and keep their lips from speaking lies and deceitful words. In short, control your speech; do not let corrupt, or unwholesome, communication come out of your mouths. Colossians 4:6 encourages believers to “let their conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” Your words should humbly and lovingly reflect that you belong to Christ and are kingdom builders. Apostle Peter declared that controlling your words results in your love for life and having good days even to everlasting life. 

Today, will you let your words reflect your love for life and see good days? If so, lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”  

1 Peter 3:8-9

As children of God, we reside in this world but are not of this world; we are citizens of the kingdom of God. Therefore, we have the great responsibility of living in submission to the will of God. In so doing this will give us the godly prospective of life and how we interact with others. Prior to the key Scriptural passage, Apostle Peter addressed various groups, dealing with the relationship of Christians to others: foreigners and exiles (2:11-17), and servants and masters (2:18-25); also, he addressed Christian wives (3:1-6) and Christian husbands (3:7).

Then he commanded, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (v.8). When Peter said “finally,” this was in reference to the previous groups he discussed which dealt with the relationship of Christians to others. Here the apostle instructed believers to be unified in their thinking: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). It is only through Christ that we can humble ourselves to relate with others in harmony. As members of the household of God, believers are to have sympathy for one another, love each other as brothers, be kindhearted and respectful of each other.  

Peter continued with the command that believers “not render evil for evil, or insult for insult: but rather, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; knowing that you are called for this very purpose, that you should inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection]” (v.9). Believers’ humble submission to one another reflects God’s character in their daily interactions. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”  

Psalm 103:4-5

In vv. 1-2 David encouraged himself to praise God wholeheartedly and to not forget the benefits of all God’s goodness. That same admonishment is for us today. In v. 3 he began to give reasons to praise God, mentioning His benefits of forgiveness and healing. He continued with the admonition to praise God, “Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (v.4). Yes, we are selfish, sinful creatures, and “our lives are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears” (James 4:14c GNT). Yet, because He is our creator and redeemer, His love for us endures forever. He delivers us from troubles of this old world and from eternal destruction. He is compassionate and cares for His creation; therefore, He crowns us with His benefits of lovingkindness and tender mercies.

The psalmist continued to declare His reasons to not forget to praise God, “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (v.5). As children of God, He “satisfies your mouth” with His truth; His word is truth (Jn.17:17b). “Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction” (Prov.18:20). The Lord promises that He will not withhold any good thing from those who do what is right (Ps. 84:11). God blesses you with all the good things you desire “So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Don’t forget the benefits of all God’s goodness.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”