1 Peter 3:16 KJV  [16] “having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”      The wealthiest men are not those having material goods or notoriety but those who have a clean conscience. It is priceless to pillow your head at night and know you have a good conscience toward God. You might wonder how you can have a good conscience and maintain it once you have obtained it.      Let me first say that it comes through knowing Jesus Christ. Salvation is …

1 Peter 3:15 KJV  [15] “but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”      This verse calls for every Christian to prepare to proclaim! The ability to give the correct answer the moment we receive a question comes from having prepared hearts and minds at all times. It is not a one-time preparation but a continual practice in our lives. We never know when the world will require an answer from us or …

1 Peter 3:14 KJV [14] “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”     Perhaps the most beautiful smile is not that of an infant or a dear family member but that of a Christian who has suffered for the sake of the Gospel. This verse reminds me of a young married couple serving as missionaries on the mission field and murdered because of their faith in the Gospel. I still remember the picture of them smiling and happy to be full-time missionaries in a foreign land.      …

1 Peter 3:13 KJV  [13] “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”     The Apostle Peter was no stranger to persecution. He had faced persecution for serving the Lord Jesus and would face more in the future. He is encouraging the Saints to be faithful to the very end and face persecution with the assurance that God has their best interest in mind. Is the Lord concerned about our safety? Does He care about what happens to His children? Of course, the Lord cares about our safety. He takes no …

1 Peter 3:12 KJV [12] “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, And his ears are open unto their prayers: But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”      What a blessing to know that God sees us at all times. He is always watching over us as we journey through life, and I am glad He walks ahead of us and knows our tomorrows. God loves his children and wants the best for each of us. He is a wonderful Father who cares about us and knows our frame. He can be …

1 Peter 3:11 KJV [11] “Let him eschew evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and ensue it.”      As believers, we have a command to avoid evil. That means we should avoid it at all costs and on all levels. God does not want us to flirt with the evil of this world. His Word commands us to come out from among them and be separate. After salvation, we are to live our lives separated from this world. We no longer love the things we used to love, and we no longer hate the things we used to hate. …

(Part Three) 1 Peter 3:10 KJV [10] “For He that will love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile:”      In this verse, God gives believers the formula for loving life and seeing good days. It has nothing to do with circumstances, riches, or an easy way of life. It has everything to do with a man’s spirit and self-control. If we treat our brethren right and refrain our tongue from evil, then we will have great joy and live free from bitterness and anger. The word “guile” …

(Part Two) 1 Peter 3:9 KJV  [9] “not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”      We are never to retaliate toward another brother in Christ. Even if you believe that a brother is spreading stories about you that are not true, just let him talk and stay silent. God will take care of you and them in the end. We are never to return evil for evil. It is never right to drag another brother’s name through the mud, even if he is …

(Part One) 1 Peter 3:8 KJV [8] “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”      When the Lord saves us, He does not leave us where He found us but brings us out of the world and into the family of God. What a wonderful feeling to know that we have a Heavenly Father who cares for us and that we have brothers and sisters in Christ to fellowship with here on earth. We can draw strength from each other as we labor together for Him.       The problem …

1 Peter 3:7 KJV [7] “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”       In this chapter, Peter has much to say to the wife, but now he turns his attention to the husband. What he has to say to the man of the house may not be as lengthy, but it is just as important. In this verse, he gives instructions to the husband that will bring blessings to him and his wife …