A gentle witness can make a big difference in a violent world. “Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing so gentle as real strength.” – Francis de Sales
- Proverbs 15:1-3 NIV A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
The Christians who received Peter’s letter were being slandered by others (2:12, 15, 23; 3:9, 16; 4:4, 14). Peter told them that the best weapon against slander was a godly life that nobody could criticize.
“If what they say about you is true, mend your ways. If it isn’t true, forget it, and go on and serve the Lord.” – H. A. Ironside
1 Peter 3:15-18 NIV15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Hope (Expectation and Desire for an Outcome)
Notes:
- When the center of a person’s life is rightly related to God, he or she is able to respond properly to the challenges of life.
- Christian hope is so real and distinctive that non-Christians are puzzled about it and ask for a “reason”
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Note: Integrity Matters Most
- 1 Timothy 1:18-19 NIV Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.
- Philippians 3:12-14 NIV Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Note: Our hopes and dreams are lost when we compromise Integrity to be accepted by others.