Most of the time, people act in a socially acceptable way.  They are restrained from breaking laws because they fear punishment, and controlled by social traditions because they fear being excluded.  However, underneath the external niceness lie hearts which can produce poisonous speech and violent actions. That is why drunkenness is so ugly; it is not 'the alcohol talking', but the real man or woman is being displayed as inhibitions are removed. These verses quoted from the Psalms reveal that nobody's nature is good enough for God.

These eight descriptions of inherent human foolishness are quoted from Psalm 5:9; Psalm 140:3; Psalm 10:7; Isaiah 59:7-8 and Psalm 36:1.  Put together they present a picture of hell.  Do read them again.  How well they mirror our world where people speak deadly words as they stand in for Satan and deceive others (John 8:44).  Where does bitter conflict arise which leads to violence?  In our heart, our inner nature (James 4:1-3).  People believe what comes out of their own mouths as being authentically ‘them’ … and it is.  Jesus said, “… the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (Matthew 15:18-19)

Without Christ, every heart is restless.  Trying, but failing to be at peace, because no peace is possible for those who are opposed to God (Isaiah 57:20-21).  But most do not think they are fighting Him.  That is because they hardly ever consider that He has authority over them.  So, they have no fear of Him (Psalm 55:19).  They justify their words and behaviour, but ultimately they will damn them (Matthew 12:36).  Paul says that that is how God sees everybody. Which is why we need Jesus to be our Saviour.

The 'way of peace' is not through meditation or religious piety.  Nor is it an emotional inner tranquillity or feeling of contentment.  'Peace with God' is the strong confidence that, although we are sinners capable of the worst crimes, God's wrath against us can be lifted: we can be forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice and our inner nature can be changed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:1-5).  Pray for yourself that God will show you where you are resisting Him and need to change.  As for other people, we cannot change their hearts, although we might be able to modify their behaviour; but we can and must pray for them.  The Lord has the power to bring us to our senses and to Jesus.