“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” 1 Peter 2:1
The chapter before Peter writes that you are to be holy and to love others. Now he gives you a list of things to get rid of in your life. First is malice. Malice is wickedness, evil, trouble, or the underlying principle of evil which is present–even when not outwardly expressed. Every person has an inclination to evil because of the fall of Adam. How many times have you wished a person would die because of something bad he did to you? This is the malice you are to get rid of.
Next is deceit. This is the deceiving of other people. Most people in the church will state that they are not deceiving people. How often do you make statements that make you appear “good” and “righteous” when you are not really following those statements? Many people will state that they are doing good when in reality their day is horrible. This is deceit. Get rid of deceit.
Next is hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is stating to do one thing while in reality doing something different. Often a person will state he is following Jesus, but in the very next breath curse someone or a situation. Some will speak against gossip while spreading gossip under the guise of prayer. Get rid of hypocrisy.
Next is envy. Envy is the displeasure a person has at another person’s gain. It is wanting what someone else has for your own glory. It can also be glorying in someone else’s misfortune. Remember you are to love everyone with the love God has for you–a self-sacrificing love. Do not be envious of what someone else has or what has happened to him. Get rid of envy.
Last is slander of every kind. Simply put, this is talking bad about someone else in order to hurt him. Slander is seen all the time in the news, all types of media, and entertainment. It is cutting someone else down to make you look better. Again where is love in slandering someone? When the leaders brought the prostitute to Jesus, He did not slander her by speaking of what she had done. Jesus lifted her up and told her to change and forgave her. You can find good to speak of every person, find that good and speak it. Get rid of all slander.
Today seek God in help to reveal these sins in your life. Some of these may be more prevalent than others in your life. Seek God for strength to get rid of those He reveals. Be filled with the Holy Spirit to change your heart, desires and actions.
I pray that today God will reveal sin in your life; that God will give you the strength to change your thoughts and actions to follow His; that you will act and speak in true love to every person you come in contact with; and that God will help you to have His loving heart towards all other people.
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