“Rid Yourself”

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” 1 Peter 2:1

Every “therefore” in Scripture begs the question why and is answered with a because that comes from the proceeding verse. For example: why should be rid ourselves of these character flaws of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander? Because in the last verses of chapter 1, we are reminded that we have been born again through Christ and His Word has been taught to us. Therefore, as a response of having received this precious gift we should desire to be transformed and be more like Him, since He now lives in us. Who He is in us conflicts with our old sin nature that is malicious, deceitful, hypocritical, envious, and slanderous. Indeed the battle is on. Through discipline, self-control, wise choices, study, fellowship, service, giving, acts of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and right attitude we can shift the tide, change our course, adjust our behaviors, and tether our tendencies; thereby being more like Him, allowing Him to shine through us.

The Bible is not telling us to rid ourselves because we must start over, but because we must maintain what progress in our maturity we accomplish through His strength. Otherwise by default we will revert back to our old ways. Be encouraged. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world and He will never leave you or forsake you, and you can do all things through Christ. This is why we must be constantly conscious of who we are in Christ, and encourage one another.

Let’s be victorious together,
Pastor Fred

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