Pastor's Corner: Words can bless and they can curse

How can one live in peace in a hostile world?

1 Peter 3:10-12: For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

The genuine Christian life is difficult because when Jesus enters your life you are challenged to respond in a way that seems unnatural, unorthodox and uncommon. But if you want “to love life, and see good days,” then there are three principles you must apply to your life.

The first principle is to keep your tongue from evil. James says that with the same tongue come blessing and cursing (James 3:10). Keep your tongue from speaking any hate, deceit or wrong doing. You do not have to cuss to curse. Be wise with your words, because once they fly you cannot take them back.

The second thing that Peter writes is to turn away from evil and do good. At times the natural thing that one will want to do is retaliate, but Peter says not to pay evil for evil, nor reviling for reviling. If we revile the war will never cease.

In a book called Tale of Three Kings, Gene Edwards writes that David never threw back the spears that Saul threw at him, rather he learned the art of dodging spears. Do not throw them back because then you become like Saul.

Finally the third thing that one must do is to seek peace and pursue it. The Greek word places an emphasis of determination and intensity for the pursue of peace. Instead of firing back, bless. This "blessing" is not something of fortune or privilege, but rather of speaking well.

Live in peace and honor God by applying these three principles to your life.