THE Apostle Peter frequently uses the word “conversation” in his two epistles. We must not understand it as being merely the talk of the lips: it is a word of much larger meaning, covering all our lives and behavior. What Peter says to us is doubtless the outcome of the memorable words of the Lord to him, as recorded in John 21. What is the practical result of the conversation of the saints? If we were all thoroughly set for God, what an effect would be produced, and what testimony for Christ!
First, he reminds us that we have been brought clean out of the old “vain conversation” (1:14-18) all connected with the old system of religion which suits the first man. We have been redeemed to God with the precious blood of Christ. The first thing the soul gets hold of is that we are out of the old state and delivered from that vain conversation. So we need to shake ourselves clear of everything of a religious nature which does not suit God.
Next comes the “honest conversation” (2:11, 12), that should adorn us as strangers and pilgrims. What is a stranger? A stranger is a person who is away from home. Where is our home? It is not here. He is up there and we are strangers here. We are not at home. A pilgrim is a man going a journey and the point of our pilgrimage is home — HEAVEN. The apostle Paul was a pilgrim, as his words recorded in Acts 20:22-24,22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:22‑24) reveal. We are away from home, but we are going home. Does your heart say, yes, to this? Then traveling home to Him we must have our conversation honest.
You know we live surrounded by much dishonesty. God says to you and me. See that you are honest: see that you have a heart and a conscience that are answering to the truth and light of God.
Then we find “chaste conversation” (3:1-4). He is here addressing Christian women, whose path may be very difficult. Cases are before his mind where the wife is converted and the husband unconverted. The husband might be won by the chaste conversation of his wife. That stresses the importance of the inside — the home life.
Then comes a “good conversation” (3:8-17). This is to be outside in the world, for a Christian is a person who is blessed, and is sent out to be a blesser. You bless even the person that is opposed to you. Thus you may reproduce something of Christ in the world out of which he has been cast. Do you want to see good days if the Lord tarry? Refrain your tongue from evil. Here we come to the actual talk of the lips and what a good effect is produced on ourselves as well as on others. The blessed Lord sees and hear all, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers.” But the face of the Lord is against his own children if they are doing evil, as it is against the children of the world. But on the other hand “who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good?”
Notice the good things — good days follow that which is good; a good conscience, and good conversation. So if we are doing good, following good and feeding on good, we shall see good days and have a good conscience and all around you will have to admit that yours is a good conversation. More than that. God will vet so work that they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
In the second epistle we read of that which must necessarily pain us, for God will and must judge. But before He (lid it in Sodom He “delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked” (2:4-9). If Lot had only had a little spiritual sense and devotedness to God, he would have kept close to his old-fashioned uncle Abraham. But like many young men, he thought he would get on in this world, and where did he go? He first “pitched his tent towards Sodom” (Gen. 13:1212Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. (Genesis 13:12)), and then he got inside and “dwelt in Sodom” (Gen. 14:1212And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. (Genesis 14:12)). God gave him soon after a solemn warning-for he was taken prisoner with all his belongings by Chedorlaomer and his confederates. His old-fashioned uncle came again on the scene and set him free. But heedless of this warning back he went straight to Sodom. Perhaps he thought he could improve that godless city. Like many Christians today who seek in vain to whitewash this present evil world. God had to drag Lot out of Sodom. But while in it he only got his soul vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.
There is a way of preventing the conversation of the wicked from getting into your soul and vexing it. Get preoccupied. If you are preoccupied with Christ, there will be no room for this to get in. There is plenty of moral filth all round about. Be occupied with Christ and with the good, then you will have the honest and the chaste conversation and all the filthy conversation round you will not affect you. If you do this you may meet with persecution but you will find in the long run that the world will not trouble you much. If you take your stand for Christ, you will very soon find the world shaking you off. You will never get your soul really vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked unless you get “unequally yoked” with them.
Lastly in speaking of the appearing of the Lord. Peter says, “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (3:8-14). That is beautiful. The saint born of God and filled with the Holy Spirit is to walk in an atmosphere of holy love and go through the world with holy conversation. He lives in a holy atmosphere and carries it with him. That is, he is one separated to God, with whom he walks. So he radiates the grace resulting from God’s presence. We cannot seek anything better than that, while wending our way to the glory and the day of manifestation and reward, our souls might know what it is to go forward in the power of the Spirit of God. So let us take heed to Peter’s words, “Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
We belong to heaven, so what befits us is, “honest conversation,” “chaste conversion,” “good conversation” and “holy conversation.” May we be really set to follow the Lord. Let us seek with ever-increasing earnestness the blessing of others, since we are so fully blessed ourselves.
Thos. Gray.