In Psalm 34, David asks a question in v.12, “What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?” The answer that he gives is not a promise but it’s the principle by which one has to live if God were to multiply our days and bless us.
First, we are to guard our mouths. David says in v.13, “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
Paul says in Ephesians 4:29,31, 5:4, “Let no corrupting [worthless] talk come of your mouths…slander [evil speech to spoil the good name of someone] be put away…let there be no filthiness [obscenity, shamefulness, foul language] nor foolish talk nor crude joking [vulgarity], which are out of place [in a Christian], but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
So let us not sin with our tongues. Let the words of our mouths be acceptable in God’s sight. This applies to texting, posting, emoji’s, abbreviations and gestures too. It an evidence of our spiritual condition.
Second, we are to guide our conduct. David says in v.14, “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” We should be careful in our speech to be honest and truthful and also in our actionsto be good and peaceful.
We are commanded to depart and remove ourselves from evil and to do good and seek and pursue peace with others. Without compromising our character we are to hunt after the peace with other Christians and without compromising our faith we are to chase after the cordial relationship with everyone else.
Accept and apologize if you have offended someone. Overlook and forgive if someone has offended you.Don’t bear grudge for love does not keep a record of wrong doings. Avoid quarreling and don’t be argumentative. (Lev. 19:18, 1 Cor. 13:5, Titus 3:2).
Ultimately, our conduct proves or disproves our claim to be Christians. It has to be good, pure, respectful, holy, righteous and blameless. It has to be an example for Christians and honorable among non-Christians. (1 Tim. 4:12, 1 Pet. 2:12).
