Word@Work 1Pet26 - 1 Peter 2:15
Published: Mon, 06/01/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
ENDING THE ARGUMENT
1 Peter 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. (NIV)
Ridicule and slander are cheap methods of discrediting an opponent. Even a little whisper of 'concern' can soon fan into a flame that burns a hole in the community's confidence. Of course, these are ungodly tactics used by unholy people and should never be seen in Christ's church. But they are the frequently-used tools of those who want to dishonour Christians, the church, and our Lord Jesus Christ. That is what the jeering mob did with Jesus; and it is still easy to raise a rabble against the righteous.
It is said that, more Christians are being persecuted for their faith now than at any previous time in history. Certainly there are more Christians now throughout the world, and with better communications, it is easier to spread malicious ideas. But despite human rights legislation in many countries, few cases of slander against believers are settled in the law courts; and it is rarely possible to have a fair public debate. This verse says that that the best defence is the consistency of a good life. That kind of evidence keeps burning in the faces of the accusers, whose words are shown to be empty and without foundation.
Yet, doing what is good, when others are behaving wickedly towards you, is not a natural human reaction (naturally we seek revenge). But Peter says (1 Peter 2:23) that Jesus has given us the right example: "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." And so Jesus was not deflected from His mission by the taunts of false accusers. Neither should we, in the face of Satan's lies and their human distributors (cf Rev 12:10-11). Instead we should do good, commit ourselves to God's protection, and pray for our persecutors (cf Matthew 5:44).
Prayer: Father God. I am grateful that You see everybody who comes against Your people with bad words or unkind actions. Give grace to me and all those who are persecuted because they honour you; that we may curb our tongues and live good lives of service as we trust in You. Please sustain all those Christians, throughout the world, who are enduring the worst hardships for Your sake; and may their persecutors see their faith expressed in good lives, and come to praise You for themselves. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Ridicule and slander are cheap methods of discrediting an opponent. Even a little whisper of 'concern' can soon fan into a flame that burns a hole in the community's confidence. Of course, these are ungodly tactics used by unholy people and should never be seen in Christ's church. But they are the frequently-used tools of those who want to dishonour Christians, the church, and our Lord Jesus Christ. That is what the jeering mob did with Jesus; and it is still easy to raise a rabble against the righteous.
It is said that, more Christians are being persecuted for their faith now than at any previous time in history. Certainly there are more Christians now throughout the world, and with better communications, it is easier to spread malicious ideas. But despite human rights legislation in many countries, few cases of slander against believers are settled in the law courts; and it is rarely possible to have a fair public debate. This verse says that that the best defence is the consistency of a good life. That kind of evidence keeps burning in the faces of the accusers, whose words are shown to be empty and without foundation.
Yet, doing what is good, when others are behaving wickedly towards you, is not a natural human reaction (naturally we seek revenge). But Peter says (1 Peter 2:23) that Jesus has given us the right example: "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." And so Jesus was not deflected from His mission by the taunts of false accusers. Neither should we, in the face of Satan's lies and their human distributors (cf Rev 12:10-11). Instead we should do good, commit ourselves to God's protection, and pray for our persecutors (cf Matthew 5:44).
Prayer: Father God. I am grateful that You see everybody who comes against Your people with bad words or unkind actions. Give grace to me and all those who are persecuted because they honour you; that we may curb our tongues and live good lives of service as we trust in You. Please sustain all those Christians, throughout the world, who are enduring the worst hardships for Your sake; and may their persecutors see their faith expressed in good lives, and come to praise You for themselves. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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