“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…” (1 Peter 3:10-12)
Many people seek success in life by working hard, by getting a doctorate, by networking with influential people, and so on. Some try to promote themselves by presenting others in bad light. The road to success often comes with great cost to the person involved, or to people around them. It is like a rat race where only the strongest succeed.
God offers a different road to “success”. If we desire to love life and see good days, we should not necessarily make a good career or set up a successful business. We should seek peace and be righteous. We should “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind”, and not repay evil for evil.
How can such an attitude ever lead to success? Would being kind, tender and humble not lead to us being walked over? Probably yes. But the Lord promises his blessing to people who bless others. His eyes are on the righteous, to give them “good days”. God’s blessing is far more important than earthly success. “Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
Do you always keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit?