Some seek it in healthy eating and exercise. Others, in hard work and perseverence in business. Still others, in winning friends and influencing people.

To get the real secret, let’s turn to the expert Word of God:

For “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.1 Peter 3:10-11 (ESV) 

Peter is offering a formula for having a great life, filled with good days. Look at what he says:

Keep your tongue from speaking evil

When we hurt others with our words, we are speaking evil:

• Angry talk
• Hateful talk
• Critical talk
• Blaming talk
• Rumors, suspicions, jumping to conclusions about their motives

There are many ways we can do evil by what we say, and the evil done disturbs our own happiness and success besides the damage it does to others and to our relationships with them.

Keep your lips from speaking deceit

Beyond the general admonition to avoid evil talk, Peter especially warns against deceitful talk. Deceit inevitably breaks down the fabric of relationships and in the end, the fabric of society as a whole.

Turn Away from Evil

Speaking no evil goes a long way to improving your life. But it doesn’t go far enough. If you do harm to others with your actions, you are damaging your soul. You are making ‘dents’ in it. 

Photo by @zayyerrn on UnsplashYour heart is gradually being shriveled so that, in time, you lose your moral compass.

Without a sense of right and wrong, your life takes on a randomness of behavior. Chaos follows. Happiness departs.

Do Good

Avoiding evil conduct goes a long way toward success. But again, it doesn’t go all the way.

Taking positive action toward other people builds bridges with them, builds your own character, and provides joy to you. As Jesus says, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

Seek Peace and Pursue it

Peace is a central ingredient to a happy, successful life. A life filled with strife is not a success.

But loving peace, as good as that is, is inadequate. It must be pursued. Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are the peace lovers.” He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.“

Want a happy life? Hear the word of the Lord, “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.”