1st Peter 2:15. “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may out to silence the ignorance of foolish men:” STOP FOOLISH TALK. Words have a way of multiplying when people come together. Sometimes they can be edifying, when wandering thoughts they gather. The believers were told when this happened, speak one by one – The results would be very profitable when the speaking time was done.
There is another format that foolish people use – The whispered word in another’s ear leads to subterfuge. The lying lips and gossiping tongue have evil as intent – Usually wanting to bring someone down when the conversation ends.
If a bunch of people talk at once it is hard to make some sense Of what the point of the talk was when the noise finally ends. The problem usually still remains for we don’t know what was said – If it happened like that in a hospital, the patient would be dead.
When you know there’s gossip or talk going around – Quietly go about your work – among them don’t be found. Move from the room to attend to some help you can do for others. Walk away so you can attend some work for your sisters and brothers.
If it is noised abroad there is some spurious tale – That would put down the people of God, to make their purpose fail – Don’t retaliate or reply, go find some good work to do – And it won’t be long until others know what is false and true.
“O All-Knowing God: help me keep the door of my lips that I speak no guile. Make me to consider before I say something, whether the words will be to profit or be foolish talk. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
By obeying righteous laws and those who enforce them, we are able to stop the slander and false accusations that are directed against believers. Many of the daily events in life are governed by laws that may not seem to be precise and are not easily understood. The principle by which we live is to obey the laws unless it is clearly against what our conscience dictates under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. "Well doing" has to do more with attitude in this passage rather than charitable acts of kindness. To walk in a godly manner in an ungodly society will stir up the consciences of foolish people. They will seek to challenge and condemn a child of God, but appropriate Christian behavior will silence their foolish accusations.
Even in totalitarian societies we are free to choose our actions. However, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions. So, we are able to live as free people but are not to use our freedom to excuse ourselves from our obligations. We are free from the bondage and domination of sin to live holy and righteous lives in obedience to our Lord - not to our own will. We are free to serve our Supreme Master and are doing that when we submit to His delegated authority.
Evidence of true submission to God's will is a Christ-like attitude that is shown to all people in general. I have four responsibilities. First, I am to give honor to all people when the appropriate occasion arises simply because they are human beings made in the image of God. With this in mind I am to show them the respect and courtesy that is due them as those who are valued and loved by God. Secondly, I am to continually love and demonstrate that love to the Lord's people. Those who are children of God are in the same family of which I am a part. I may not agree with them in everything, but I am to love them in spite of that. Third: to fear God means I truly hold Him in awe and am thus motivated to obey Him in all things. This will keep me from abusing my "christian liberty" because I want to please Him. I am not to be frightened of Him nor scared to approach Him, but to reverence, honor and submit to His supreme authority. Fourth, "honoring the king" means that I recognize his authority as one who has been placed in that position by God. I do not have the right to speak evil of him nor to obey him only as I choose. I am to "pray for kings and those in authority." When I do that there is a lasting effect that cannot be cancelled by another person's vote that may be the opposite of mine if I choose to vote.
Our freedom in Christ does not make us free agents to do our own will, but we are free to follow our Lord. it is not our role to organize opposition against the government or promote rallies to protest those things with which I do not agree. Public protests are held when the will of the governed is pitted against the will of those who govern. Those who understand who we are in Christ can have more lasting influence by Christ-like living in submission to those who rule, and when we show proper respect towards everyone including rulers. Demonstrating submission may seem at first to be weakness, but ultimately it is evidence of our true Christian commitment.