TeaTime Devotional September 22nd, 2025

Written By:  Dr. Byron Reaves

Speak Up!

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:10–12 –“For He that would love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

Testify:I think the American society I live in values the Constitution more than God. Our country’s amendments sometimes invite ignorance and evil rather than the Word of God. The right to freedom of speech, though precious, has given space for mouths to speak evil into a world already colored with the devil’s residue. Our times call not just for acts of love and peace, but for voices that carry God’s message despite our human differences. Civil discourse makes sense in a world of difference, but God asks us to guard our tongues so that discourse does not become voices of hate. Speaking up in ignorance, evil, and guile moves us away from Him. Sometimes speaking up means listening more. I am not perfect, but when I speak, I strive to be mindful of my Lord and Savior, that speaking up is not just about “my rights,” but an opportunity to turn evil down, speak peace, and welcome love.

Edify:God is a “G”! His swag is incredible; He is the vibe. And doesn’t that just make sense? Have you ever heard phrases like “speaking into the universe” or “spreading good vibes”? HA! Humans really be playing with God, trying to believe in a universe without Him. That’s wild. God is the universe. God is the vibe. First Peter reminds us that despite the worst circumstances, we can still live well through believing in God. Peter was beaten, threatened, punished, and jailed for preaching the Word, but he loved life and loved God. He knew the danger of speaking evil even in an evil place. That’s why he said, “And let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

Apply:When Peter suffered, he didn’t condemn or speak evil about those who wronged him. No ignorant responses. No long Facebook post. No Instagram Live exposing another human being. He never lost hope in the Word of God. There’s a lesson there, when we are wronged, it’s not always about our “right to speak out”, that American privilege. Maybe it’s time to speak to God, to praise Him, to speak peace back instead of evil. Aye, we ain’t punks though! It’s about knowing when to use our words to heal, not harm.