Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
I. The use of reason in 1 Peter
A. Therefore is used four times – 1:13, 2:1, 4:1, 4:7
B. Therefore calls for action because of truth.
C. Therefore – Action is called for because of what?
1. Because you have purified your life with truth vs.1:22.
2. Because you have been born again vs. 1:23.
3. Because the word of God is true vss. 1:24-25.
II. Therefore, put off these things vs. 2:1
A. Rid – NIV - To put off; to put away
B. Rid Yourselves of what?
i. Malice – A desire or intention to hurt another or seek revenge whether or not you have been harmed.
ii. Deceit – Intentional misrepresentation of the truth, often to trap or to ensnare.
iii. Hypocrisy – Intentional deception, as in action a part knowing that is not who you are. A hypocrite is one who deceives and intends to do so, does it knowingly.
iv. Envy- Anger or mortification at seeing others better off than yourself and a desire to be like them.
v. Slander – Untruthfully speaking ill of others. (There is many different forms of speaking ill of others.)
C. Notice the language – Peter does not tell you to “fight the good fight” against these things, but instead you are to lay them aside as one would lay a garment aside to get rid of it. (see Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22, 25; Colossians 3:8 and James 1:21)
III. Therefore, be like a newborn baby vs. 2:2
A. Defining words-
i. Newborn Babies – does not mean you are young in the faith, but is an exhortation to be as intensely and singularly focused as a baby.
ii. Crave – A positive word meaning to long for to strongly desire
iii. Pure – This is the only place in the NT where this word is used. It means without fraud and deceit.
iv. Spiritual – Linked to the “Word” found in 1:22-25
v. Grow – Linked to physical growth
vi. Salvation – Knowledge of the Gospel
B. It should be noted that this is not a command. He did not charge you to read the Word, to study the Word, to meditate on the Word, to teach the Word, and so on. But the heart of this is that you as believers should have a deep longing for the Word of God.
IV. Therefore, know you have tasted the goodness of the Lord. vs.2:3
A. A. You are not “new babes” in the Lord.
B. You must continue to receive nourishment from the Word of God.
C. You will be able to declare the Lord is good.
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen!
