soul journey 
Seeking peace by aligning with God’s will is about trusting Him fully, surrendering your own plans, and walking in obedience to His guidance. True peace doesn’t come from controlling circumstances but from living in harmony with God’s purpose for your life.
1 Peter 3:10-11 (NIV) says:
“For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.’”
This verse offers practical guidance for living a life that is pleasing to God and filled with blessings. Here’s an in-depth look at this scripture and how you can apply it to your life:
1. The Desire for a Good Life and Fulfillment
The passage begins with an encouraging reminder: “Whoever would love life and see good days.”
This reflects a universal longing to live a life that is joyful, meaningful, and free from unnecessary strife. Peter isn’t promising a life without challenges but points to a way of living that aligns with God’s will and leads to peace and satisfaction, even amidst difficulties. Loving life is about embracing the goodness God offers through obedience and faith.
2. Guarding Your Words
“Must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”
The power of words is a recurring theme in Scripture. Words can either build up or tear down, heal or hurt. This verse emphasizes:
- Avoiding Evil Speech: This includes gossip, slander, lies, or anything that dishonors God and harms others.
- Speaking Truthfully: Deceit, even in subtle forms, undermines trust and creates division. Integrity in speech reflects God’s character and fosters harmonious relationships.
- Controlling Your Tongue: James 3:6 likens the tongue to a fire, capable of great destruction if not controlled. Guarding your words protects your relationships and your witness as a follower of Christ.
3. Turning from Evil and Doing Good
“They must turn from evil and do good.”
Peter calls for active repentance—turning away from sin and intentionally pursuing righteousness. This involves:
- Recognizing Sin: Identifying areas in your life where thoughts, actions, or habits do not align with God’s Word.
- Making a Change: Turning away from evil isn’t passive; it requires deliberate decisions to reject sin and live in a way that pleases God.
- Pursuing Good: This involves acts of kindness, love, service, and obedience to God’s commands. It’s not enough to avoid sin; we must actively seek ways to do good.
4. Seeking and Pursuing Peace
“They must seek peace and pursue it.”
Peace doesn’t happen by chance—it must be sought and actively pursued. This applies to both inner peace and peace with others.
- Inner Peace: Comes from trusting God, aligning with His will, and resting in His promises. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
- Relational Peace: Involves forgiving others, resolving conflicts, and promoting harmony. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
- Active Pursuit: Seeking peace requires effort, humility, and patience. It may mean initiating reconciliation or making sacrifices for the greater good.
5. Living Out These Principles Brings God’s Favor
The instructions in these verses reflect a life of obedience and submission to God. They lead to the “good days” mentioned earlier—not necessarily a life free from trials but one filled with God’s blessings, presence, and favor.
- When we guard our words, we create trust and build healthy relationships.
- When we turn from evil and do good, we experience the joy of walking in righteousness.
- When we pursue peace, we align with God’s nature and foster unity.
Practical Application
- Reflect on Your Words: Are there areas where you need to speak more kindly, truthfully, or lovingly?
- Identify and Turn from Sin: Ask God to reveal behaviors or habits that hinder your relationship with Him, and commit to change.
- Be a Peacemaker: Seek to resolve conflicts and promote harmony in your family, community, and workplace.
- Trust God for Good Days: Believe that aligning your life with His Word leads to true fulfillment, even in challenges.
These verses remind us that a fulfilling life is not found in selfish pursuits but in aligning with God’s principles—choosing righteousness, guarding our speech, and actively seeking peace. When we live this way, we not only reflect God’s love but also enjoy the deep blessings of His presence and guidance.
Thank you for reading. Much love and appreciation, Kay
