Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 2:1-2
The Special Verse: "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:1-2, KJV)
Reflection:
The condition of our heart can be a major hindrance to our spiritual growth. Sins like malice, envy, and evil speaking are evidence of one not being able to walk in love toward others. By implication, walking in love is manure to spiritual growth. So when you meet a Christian, a child of God, who doesn't have an appetite for the milk of the Word, you can be sure that they struggle with the sins mentioned here in verse 1. A lack of hunger for the Word isn't random — it's connected to what's still sitting unaddressed in the heart.
"Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2, KJV)
The solution is to take up the responsibility to lay aside these sins, because God has given us a new man which has victory over sin. This isn't a prayer point — it's an action point. We don't simply ask God to remove malice, envy, or evil speaking from us. We take up the responsibility to lay it aside, standing on the truth that we already have victory in the new man He's given us.
Note that if you decide to start taking these actionable steps of putting aside these things, the world will reject you. They may feel that you now think you are holier than they are, as you refuse to partake in such normalized sins. That rejection isn't a sign you're doing something wrong — it's often confirmation that you're finally walking in the love and holiness God called you to.
Reflection Questions:
- Is there malice, envy, guile, or evil speaking in your heart right now that's hindering your appetite for God's Word?
- Do you treat laying aside sin as something you pray about and wait for, or as an action you take up because victory has already been given to you?
- Have you ever held back from doing what's right because you feared being seen as "holier than thou"? How does knowing this is an expected response change that?
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me a new man in Christ, one that already has victory over sin. Help me take up the responsibility to lay aside malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking — not as a prayer I keep repeating, but as an action I walk out daily. Give me a fresh hunger for the sincere milk of Your Word, and let that hunger grow me into spiritual maturity. Give me courage to walk in love and holiness, even when the world around me rejects it. In Jesus' name, Amen.