The world is filled with wars and conflicts, but what about your “world”?

Is there a “war” raging in your inner world?

Is there conflict in the “outer world” of your relationships?

If so, one reason might be the way you talk, according to 1 Peter 3:10-11, which says…

“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.”

This passage reminds us that the way we speak is either sowing seeds of peace or seeds of discord. It also, in some ways, is creating the world in which we live.

When we speak evil, we invite evil into our world.

When we speak lies, we invite conflict into our world.

When we speak negatively, we invite negativity into our world.

When we speak deceitfully, we invite disingenuousness into our world.

And we are not at peace because of what we have brought upon ourselves.

And it’s hard to love life when you are not at peace.

But it is possible to be at peace within yourself and with others.

When Peter talks about loving life in verse 10, he does not mean that one has a trouble-free life. He is referring to an enjoyment of life and contentment in the life God has given, no matter what the outward circumstances.

And, according to Peter, this enjoyment and contentment is attained by keeping our tongues from evil and deceit, doing good to others, and intentionally pursuing peace by working for reconciliation and harmony among people.

So, are your words and actions sowing peace or conflict?