Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep 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 prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1. The negative commands to obey

a. When mistreated, do not respond in kind: 1 Peter 3:9

– Jesus’ instructions to His people: Matt. 5:43-48, Acts 7:54-60

b. When maligned, do not be defensive: 1 Peter 3:9b

– Jesus’ example: 1 Peter 2:23, Luke 23:8-10

2. The prositive actions to take

a. Be holy in speech: 1 Peter 3:10b

– Exercising the power of speech restraint: Prov. 10:19, 17:27

b. Be honorable in conduct: 1 Peter 3:11a

– Exercising the power of initiative: 1 Peter 3:9, 1 Peter 2:12, Matt. 5:14-16

c. Be harmonious in conflict: 1 Peter 3:11b, Heb. 12:14, Rom. 12:18, Matt. 5:9, Matt. 10:16

3. The Motivation for both

a. Live in the presence of the Lord: 1 Peter 3:12a, Jer. 23:23-24

b. Live in fellowship with the Lord: 1 Peter 3:12b

– Early church example: Acts 4:23-24, Acts 4:29-31

APPLYING THE WORD

1. When suffering for my faith in Christ, do I see this as the will of God and gladly submit to mistreatment?
2. Do I find myself defending myself when maligned? Or following my Lord’s example of restraining my tongue?
3. Am I characterized as living spiritually-minded and thus able to interpret all of life through an eternal lens?