1 Peter 2:1 (ESV) — 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy
and envy and all slander.
NOTE: This would
seem the natural or obvious thing for a believer to do. Obviously it is not
always true or Peter would not need to mention it. We are changed but we also
struggle with our sin nature, which still exists. Some people do a better job
of living according to the new mind, but others live according to the flesh.
The introductory word 'So,' assumes that the previous argument should influence
in some way. The word is a conjunction in the Greek and is used "to
introduce a logical result or inference from what precedes therefore, so, consequently;" (ALGNT,
2000). What precedes are two main thoughts. One, we have an incredible
inheritance which cannot change and is safely held by God for each one of us in
heaven. Two, we are born of imperishable seed through the living and abiding
word of God. Which means, that we cannot lose our salvation and we have a
source of power to change us. So, given all that, we do need to change. We need
to prepare ourselves for our future. We need to honor God with our lives. We
need to take off the malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander that we live
in as children of the king--it is unfitting! The key is the word of God. It can
changes us and renew us, but only to the extent that we dig into it.
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