We have been babies too long, it is time to get into the meat of the Word. As we grow in the Lord, we have to lay some things down. Malice – desire to do evil Malice fights our spirit man. We have to lay down those desires that do not line up with the word of God. Deceit – lying , misleading or distorting the truth. The Word of God is very clear, sin will not enter into heaven. I don’t care what feel good preaching says you can’t live however you want and make it to heaven. That goes against everything in the Word of God. We are to repent and turn away from our sin. We are to lay down the sinful and lustful desires. Hypocrisy – claiming to believe one things but your behavior doesn’t reflect that belief. Our lives have to be different in order for people to see Jesus in us. Jesus hung out with sinners, they changed He didn’t. You can’t lead people to Christ if your actions lead them away. Envy – being discontent by what someone else has. Stop comparing yourself to others. We are all at different stages in life. God has enough to go around for all of His kids. He’s not a broke deadbeat dad who doesn’t care. He is the Father that has good gifts for His children but His children don’t ask for them. So if you see your brother or sister moving up be happy for them. Be content with what you have. Be grateful. Slander – destroying someone’s reputation. Be cautious how you speak about others. Guard your tongue it has the power of life and death. Speak life about people, speak life to people. Remember that the Lord is good and He has good things for us. Just like our own kids, we can’t stay a baby forever. It is time to go deeper with God. It is time to eat some steak. Spiritual growth requires some sacrifice on our part. Sometimes we gotta give up something to get to the place God is calling us to be. This is the year we grow in the Lord.
I Peter 2: 1-32
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.