Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1 Peter 2:1
The Epistle of I Peter addressed the Christians of the diaspora who suffered under Nero’s campaign of persecution (I Peter 1:1). Peter encouraged the persecuted church toward intentional authentic Christian living. His overall message was that difficulties prove the authenticity of one’s faith:
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (I Peter 1:6-7)
Trials can bring opportunities to prove the authenticity of one’s life of faith. Therefore, in I Peter 2:1, Peter instructs members of the persecuted church to rid themselves of all that counters authentic Christian living.
Consider the larger context. Referencing I Peter 1:22, Christians are called to express genuine love within the community of faith. This leads to a warning in I Peter 2:1 of certain attitudes that counter authentic expressions of love and potentially destroy community among believers. Therefore, Peter’s audience was called to shed behavior inconsistent with Christian living. Because of the type of action called for (represented by the Greek participle), the phrase, “rid yourself” could better be translated, ‘having rid yourself,” or “having put aside.” This indicates a direct connection to the changed heart referenced in I Peter 1:23-25, and the new birth mentioned in I Peter 1:3. The specific items inconsistent with the new and changed life of the Christian were representative of relationships in the community of faith, and can be viewed from two simple perspectives:
- First, consider a general perspective of the problem. All malice or evil (from the Greek terminology, “kakia”) offers a general summary of the spiritual ills listed. (This term was the most popular antonym in the Greek language contrasting the idea of virtue). Malice referred to all underlying problems that countered authentic Christian relationships.
- Second, consider specific examples. There are particular examples given from within the community context: hypocrisies (claiming to love one another while back biting, etc.); jealousies, or envy (petty resentments); malicious talk (slandering others).
The above represents real life examples of that which counters one’s authentic Christian identity. So, how can difficulties prove the authenticity of one’s faith? When pressures mount to tempt all types of negative responses, rid yourself of all such attitudes, thoughts, and actions inconsistent with your life as a new creation in Christ. You have a brand-new identity. You have been given a brand-new birth. This spiritual identity becomes the real you –this references the authenticity of your life. Lay aside any inclination that would counter the “real you” that is in Christ.
Difficulties will bring the worst or the best out in people. For you, allow the difficulties to bring out the witness of He who lives within you. Allow the squeeze of life to bring about a greater testimony of your commitment to follow Jesus. The difficulties you face can break your witness or make your witness. Your choice. Rid yourself of any negative action or attitude (like those mentioned above), and get on with living for Jesus authentically.
Blessings.
READ
Read I Peter 1:22-2:1 and allow God to remind you of what you may need to rid from your life.
