What can lead to a longer life?

Psalm 128:1, 6How joyful are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways! . . . May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!

Proverbs 3:1-2My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.

The “fear of the Lord,” which involves knowing and obeying God and his commands, leads to a satisfying life and often a long life. At times, a life is cut short by tragedy, but the general rule is that knowing and obeying God lengthens life because God’s Word shows us how to avoid things that are bad for us. We should not be surprised when a close relationship with the Author of Life helps us to enrich and lengthen our lives.

Exodus 20:12“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Ephesians 6:2-3Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

In general, God blesses those who honor their parents. While obeying them applies to when we are under their care, honoring them should last a lifetime.

Psalm 34:11-14Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

Avoiding evil and embracing good increases our chances of living long, good lives because we avoid those things that might harm or endanger our health and well-being. Evil erodes our youth and our vitality. A sinful lifestyle brings spiritual cancer that eats away at our souls.

Proverbs 3:13, 16Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding . . . She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.

Living with wisdom and understanding can lead to a long, honorable life. Wisdom and understanding bring mental, social, and spiritual transformation.