First Peter Three Verses Thirteen-Seventeen
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

First Peter 3:13-17
If You Are Going To Suffer, Let It Be For Doing Good Rather Than Evil

I. Introduction:

A. Finding true justice in this world has long been a problem (Isaiah 1:21-23 and Micah 3:11).

  1. Corruption is not by God’s design (Deuteronomy 16:19).
  2. God is just and right (Deuteronomy 32:4).
B. There is also the fact that there have long been those that think afflicting the just is a good work because they are misguided (John 16:1-3).

  1. There are those that hate the truth so much that they will lie about the faithful to bring charges against us (Acts 6:8-14 and Acts 7:51-60).
  2. Those that will do so in a cruel manner (Psalms 27:12).

II. Body: I Peter 3:13-17

A. In principal, generally speaking, who is going to harm someone who is good (Proverbs 16:7 and Romans 13:1-3)?

  1. I said in general, because such is not always the case (Psalms 35:11-12, Psalms 38:20, and Matthew 5:10-12).
  2. The fact that such is not a guarantee should not even be something you have to think about (Acts 3:13-15).
B. To be happy to suffer for righteousness sake (Acts 5:40-42).

  1. It’s a mindset (II Corinthians 12:1-10).
  2. Knowing the immediate and eternal benefits of suffering for Christ in the flesh (James 1:2-3 and James 1:12).
C. Don’t fear (Psalms 56:1-13).

  1. Think about what Jesus told the twelve (Matthew 10:22-28).
  2. In the end, it’s all good (Romans 8:28-39).
D. Sanctify [Hallow; Matthew 6:9] the Lord God in your hearts (Isaiah 8:13).

  1. You’re facing persecution, how does the Lord in your heart help you (Psalms 56:3)?
  2. Not afraid (Psalms 112:7).
E. Ready to give an answer of the hope that is in you (Psalms 119:46, Daniel 3:14-18, Colossians 1:5, Colossians 4:5-6, and I Peter 4:11).

  1. Giving an answer with meekness (James 3:13).
  2. Giving an answer with fear (II Corinthians 5:11).
F. Having a good conscience (I Timothy 1:5 and I Peter 2:19).

  1. A good conscience doesn’t necessarily, on it’s own, mean good actions (Acts 24:16 and Galatians 1:13).
  2. As we have discussed earlier in this letter, live with good conduct that can outshine false accusations (I Peter 2:12; cf. Titus 2:7-8).
G. If you are suffering for well-doing that is in accordance with the will of God, that is better (I Peter 4:15-19).

  1. This does not mean the faithful will not suffer “as an evil doer” because of the Gospel (II Timothy 2:8-12).
  2. Don’t do evil for the punishment you will receive of men is nothing to rejoice in as you deserve it (Romans 13:4).

III. Conclusion: Our Next Study; I Peter 3:18-20