“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like new-born 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.“
1Peter 2: 1-3 [NIV]
Deceit, malice, envy and slander are symptomatic of a lack of love, as Paul explains:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 [NIV]
Peter advises us to put off, literally strip off, those things that do not reflect a loving heart, but instead be like babies craving milk. We all know milk is required by babies to enable them to grow strong and healthy. The particular brand of milk recommended by Peter is pure spiritual milk. Older translations render this “milk of the word” [KJV]. In the context of 1 Peter, “this is the word that was preached to you” 1 Peter 1: 25 [NIV]; a craving for the life-giving words God has for us.
It seems a good place to start the week, don’t be envious, malicious, hypocritical, or gossiping, instead be loving and crave the life giving words God has for us.
Father, teach us to be loving and seek you word for our lives.
Guy Mowbray
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