Living the Good Life

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE (1 PETER 3:10-13)

I.  Good days do not mean an absence of tribulation. JOH 16:33; ROM 8:18-23.

II.  Good days result from good behavior. 1PE 3:10-13.

III. Ungodliness clearly can have direct negative physical consequences.

 PRO 23:29-30; ROM 1:27.

IV.  Sin can also generate emotional problems which produce their own health issues. 

      PSA 32:3-5; PSA 38:1-10.

 A.  A broken spirit is a weakening agency. PRO 15:13; PRO 17:22; PRO 18:14.

 B. The emotional center of the brain produces changes in the body by changing the   amount and characteristics of blood flow, by affecting secretions of the glands,   and by changing the tension of the muscles.

V.  Remember the example of Cain. GEN 4:3-8.

 A.  Cain's offering was rejected because he was wicked. PRO 15:8; 1JO 3:12.

 B.  GEN 4:5 shows that Cain was angry and that his "countenance fell." which    means "to show disappointment or dejection."

 C. Cain obviously hated his brother. 1JO 3:11-13.  

            1. Because he hated his brother, Cain was in darkness. 1JO 2:9-11.

  2.  Without light, there is no rejoicing. PRO 15:30; PSA 97:11.

  3.  Hence, Cain was depressed.

      D.  Cain's anger and accompanying depression resulted from his own evil and led to   the murder of his brother. Sin generates sin. ROM 6:19.

VI.  Righteous behavior leads to positive emotions and health.

 A.  One who trusts in the Lord is happy. PRO 16:20.

 B.  One who truly fears the Lord will find happiness and goodness.

  PRO 28:14 c/w PRO 8:13 c/w 1PE 3:11.

 C.  The righteous sing and rejoice. PRO 29:6.

  1.  The unrighteous may do likewise. EXO 32:18; ACT 7:41.

  2.  But such singing and rejoicing did not promote good days.

   EXO 32:28.

 D.  Obedience promotes health. PRO 3:7-8.

 E.  Attending to sound doctrine promotes positive emotions and health.

  PRO 3:13-18; PRO 4:22; PRO 16:24 c/w 1TI 4:16.

 F.  A merry heart is therapeutic and cheers the countenance. 

            PRO 17:22; PRO 15:13.

VI.  Confession of sin and correcting behavior will correct the emotions which in turn will  promote good health.

 A.  Confession of sin leads to joy. 

            PSA 32:3-5, PSA 32:10-11; PSA 51:1-13.

 B.  Reversing bad behavior results in NOT grieving the Spirit. EPH 4:25-32.

  1.  The antonym of "grieve" is "rejoice."

  2.  An ungrieved Spirit will generate positive emotions which accompany     righteous behavior. GAL 5:22-23.

 C.  Keep the tongue from evil in order to see good days.

  1.  A perverse tongue breaks the spirit which in turn has unhealthy effects.     PRO 15:4 c/w PRO 17:22.

  2.  Words can build or destroy. PRO 18:21.

  3.  Controlling the tongue minimizes troubles. PRO 21:23.

 D.  Do not seek retaliation of evil, but good and peace. 

            1PE 3:9-11 c/w ROM 12:18-21.

 E. Note these admonitions regarding anger and wrath which generate strife.

  PRO 15:18; PRO 30:33.

  1.  Fools do not contain their wrath. PRO 12:16.

  2.  Conversely, a prudent man is slow to wrath. PRO 14:29.

  3.  Grievous words stir up anger. PRO 15:1.

  4.  Temper and self-control are great attributes, without which a person is     defenseless. PRO 16:32; PRO 25:28.

  5.  Leave off contention rather than meddling with it and spreading it.      PRO 17:14; PRO 20:3; PRO 26:20-21.

  6.  Defer anger and pass over transgression. PRO 19:11.

  7.  Wrathful people are continually in trouble. PRO 19:19.

  8.  Wrath and envy are overpowering. PRO 27:3-4.

  9.  Wrath and malice must be laid aside in order to profitably receive God's    word. 1PE 2:1-2; JAM 1:19-21.

            10. There is some strife and contention that is NOT to be avoided.

                  PHIL 1:27; JUDE 1:3.

  11.  The way of peace is the way of heavenly wisdom which is the way to     happiness. JAM 3:14-17; PRO 3:17-18.