“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” 1 Peter 2:1
May 22, 2024
Think of the diseases that have to be overcome during infancy to adulthood; measles, mumps, chickenpox, to name only a few. We have vaccines and medical knowledge to help work through many illnesses. We also have spiritual bacterial and viral infections to deal with. Devious words and actions can arise from within. The vice of deceit increases in a society that is morally collapsing (Rom. 1:29). The Bible’s strongest words are reserved for those who stand between us and truth. The masking of inward evil by an outward show of righteousness is a threat to the health of authentic Christian living. The double life appears to make it possible to have our cake of outward show and eat its fakery. Am I pursuing the evil desires of my heart and cover them up with outward good behavior? We have the story of a husband and wife who were guilty of trying to impersonate generosity (Acts 5:1-10).
These evils that we are told to put off are not meant to discourage us, but to keep us vigilant in developing the transformation of growing into the adulthood of Christlikeness.
H
“O Righteous Father, I need the awareness of sins that can so easily seduce me.”