Turn away from evil
For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:10-12
The Apostle Peter from the text was quoting Psalms 34:12-16. The admonition from the passage is to shun away from evil. Christians live in this world where there is not much difference anymore between what is morally right from what is morally wrong. People in this culture have skewed what should be wrong before God and made the unnatural to be the normal practice. This is why experiencing life the way God designed it is no longer a pursuit that man wants to attain. Yet, believers are constantly urged to flee from evil and do what is right before God. This may mean that Christians will be inclined to do the polar opposite from what the world does. This is also what the Apostle Paul alluded to in Romans 16:17 admonishing Christians to stay away from teachings contrary to biblical principles. “And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.” God calls you to live and love the life that comes from Him. This is the only way you could enjoy life and experience good days in the midst of evil days. This is the life that honors and pleases God. Job was commended by God that inspite of the difficulties he went through, he still maintained a life that pursued God’s direction. “There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 2:3). This is why Job was described in the last days of his life that he enjoyed far more good days of great blessing even when he went through tremendous trials in life. “...he died, an old, after living a long, good life” (Job 42:17 TLB). Listen to God’s admonition and do not give in to the pressures of the world. “Turn away from evil and do good.” Remember that you are not alone in this struggle, God is there and He watches over you. He is always ready to listen to your prayers so you could live the life He wanted you to have. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
Blessings.
