“Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” I Peter 2:1
Roaches, termites, mice, and lice. None of these creatures make the welcome list for our houses or our heads. They are not graciously endured or casually overlooked. Instead, we take drastic measures to exterminate the ones we have and to repel the ones we don’t!
Peter encourages us to apply the same method of “pest control” to our hearts as we do to our homes – RID YOURSELVES! Concealed in the corners of our character are ungodly actions and attitudes that often scurry across our conversations and contaminate our relationships. Malice. Deceit. Hypocrisy. Envy. Slander. We’ve all been hurt by them, and we’ve all hurt others with them.
As Christ-followers, redeemed by His blood and rescued by His grace, these sins must not be allowed to infest our lives. They should not be tolerated; they should be terminated. We do not need to simply stash them away; we need to throw them away – making sure we eliminate them from our words and our will.
“Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
Don’t be bad. Don’t be sly. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Don’t wish you were something you aren’t. And don’t say things you shouldn’t.
As with household pests, getting rid of the unwanted is often a process requiring repeated deliberate effort. Do not despair. God’s power is the stronger than any sin. He will clean you up and clear you out. He will help you get it right by getting rid of the wrong! Just call Him!
Time For A Little R&R
REFLECT
What bugs you the most about yourself?
What about you bothers other the most?
RESPOND
Ask God to show you where malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander are infesting your heart.
Confess your sinful attitudes. Commit to serious action.
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