“Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.”
– Psalm 34:13-14
Following Jesus is not a passive activity! It’s hard work to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. The command to keep your tongue from evil is a good reminder that it *wants* to go there! In our fallenness, we like saying evil things. We like trafficking in gossip and slander. We love sharing conspiracy theories and lies. We love attacking people rather than their ideas. That’s why Scripture repeatedly commands us to restrain our tongues, like we restrain a dangerous animal straining to attack all in its path.
We must intentionally turn away from evil every day (and often multiple times each day). We must choose to actively and intentionally do good to others. We must not simply sit around waiting for peace to break out. As Christians, we’re commanded to create peace! We don’t exist to agitate and aggravate, we exist to make godly peace. We must actively pursue it despite terrible risks to ourselves.
Are walking in integrity and pursuing peace hard work? Absolutely! Will they be appreciated by those around us? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Will some hate us, question us, doubt us, or slander us for speaking truth, rejecting evil, and pursuing peace? Absolutely! Will some of those people call themselves Christians and question our faith? Sadly so.
Don’t let any of that keep you from denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus every day! Live to please One, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Faithfully do what this Scripture says and He will be pleased, regardless of how anyone else feels.