1 Peter 2:1-3 ESV
(1) So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
(2) Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation–
(3) if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
So put way all malice…
malice gr.kakia That is that evil within. The word is like malignity, that describes a cancer that is deadly. Sin
within is like a deadly cancer. The born again Christian because of all that God has done is to put away or lay aside all deadly evil sin.
and all deceit and hypocrisy…
no trickery, don’t be trying to fool people. a A hypocrite is one who is acting under a feigned or false part.
and envy…
desiring evil against someone because of jealousy
and slander
backbiting, speaking evil of someone
In James chapter 3 james warns of of the deadly power of the tongue he said ” v9. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
(10) From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slanderous words should be put from us
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation–
A Christian life is marked by a desire for the word of God just like a baby craves milk. A baby needs that milk to grow so it is with a child of God to grow they must has the word of God.
Macarthur says a Christian develops a desire for God’s word by;
1. Remembering his life’s source
1Pe 1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
2. Eliminating sin from his life
v2 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
3. Admitting ones need for God’s truth
“Like newborn infants…” A newborn infant is totally dependent on his mothers milk for life without it he will die. We must see ourselves as that needy for God’s word.
4. Pursuing spiritual growth
When we take God’s word in we will grow. We pursue growth be reading/hearing God’s word & doing what it says.
5. Surveying God’s blessings
v3 the Lord is good or kjv gracious
if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The main driving motivation to put away sin by embracing God’s word is that a person has tasted (savored) the Lord as good.
When a person is born again he sees the Lord as precious, valuable.
Jesus many times compared knowing him or being in his kingdom as a treasure.
Mat. 13:44, Mat. 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 12:33,
Peter says if we have tasted this goodness of Jesus will we put way all malice etc. and desire the milk of God’s word.
Psalms 34:8 ESV
(8) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Knowing God will most definitely be accompanied by this “tasting” & seeing the preciousness of Christ
1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
My Prayer,
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you and praise you that you are faithful, saving gracious God. You through Jesus Christ have caused me to be born again. You have awakened my heart to be able to see & savor the gloriousness of the gospel. For that i am grateful. Apart from your saving work my depraved heart would only desire that which destroys, but because of your saving work I now have a desire for you and your word. This day may I once again identify myself with the crucified savior for its in that dying that I am also raised with Christ to the newness of like. May I this day lay aside all malice, envy, evil speaking, deceit & hypocrisy and desire the spiritual milk of your word. May your words be as very life to me for they are. You are the vine Jesus I am but the branch. Apart from you I can do nothing. However though you Jesus I can do all things. Through your power & grace this day I will put aside the malice of my heart. Put away its deceitfulness. May this vile cancer within be burned away as dross is from gold. Please continue your sanctifying work in me. I am sadly and soberly aware of the sin that lies within. Through you risen Christ, my life, my hope, I consider myself dead indeed to sin but alive to God. Oh let me live in that power this day. Show yourself strong in me. I want to glorify your name by loving my wife, my children & those I come in contact with at work today. May the fruit of the spirit be evident in my life today so that you name will be glorified. Let me taste & savor your goodness today so that all that I desire is you.
