How does a Christian grow in God? It starts with understanding that the Bible teaches that born-again believer will exhibit a new life of Christ in their daily lifestyle. We all were “used to be’s”…that is lost people in the world without hope, redemption or saving righteousness. But in Christ, we were made into new creations, with a new way of living. Paul gives us the strategy for spiritual growth (Eph 4:22), “…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires…” In the Greek, “put off” (ἀποτίθημι, transliteration: apotithēmi) means to cast off, lay aside, or separate from. In other words, we are not commanded to fight sin (old man), but rather lay it aside like an old garment we can no longer fit or wear. We cast it off ourselves like throwing aside a heavy burden. By doing so, it is the only way we can move forward in the freedom and fellowship with God and thus mature spiritually.
The writer of Hebrews communicates this same imagery (Heb 12:1), “…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” This is the same principle Peter conveys in the text, “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” These things are attributes that heavily marked our former way of life before Christ. Let us define more specifically what a Christian is casting aside:
All malice. This refers to “ill will” for our neighbor. To allow this to continue to operate in our hearts vanquishes love for our fellow man as God has. A desire to inflict pain, harm or injury to others distracts us from the path of spiritual growth. Leave all malice to the side of the road my friends.
All deceit. This mindset includes an assortment of evils rolled up into one word. We are commanded to discard a heart (and subsequent actions) of falsehood, seductions, slander, and treachery against others. When we obey this type of disposition, we imitate the very nature of Satan whose primary weapon against humanity is deceit. Remember, this evil is crafty as it masquerades around as truth to disguise its wicked intentions. Solomon rightly observes (Prv 16:27-30), “A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like scorching fire. (28) A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. (29) A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. (30) Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.” We are to throw out the garments of deceit like smelly old filthy rags and remember them no more.
All hypocrisy and envy. We are to resist attempting to appear what we are not. God has not called us to live in a double minded way. Additionally, we are to separate ourselves from all covetedness of our neighbor. Many great evils are recorded in scripture due to envy, starting with the first murder in the Bible (Cain and Abel, Gen 4). We cannot bring these two things with us on the road of life, as they will emit the stench of death which will be evidenced everywhere we go. Cast these things out into a proverbial burnt pit that they may no longer be recognizable in us.
All slander. Let us not use our tongue as instrument to tear down others, even those who have wronged us (Lk 6:27-29). We are only to speak of people in way that edifies (build them up toward godliness). When we talk ill of others (especially behind their backs), we (again) imitate the nature of Satan who is called the “Accuser of the brethren” who slanders us before God day and night (Rev 12:10).
We are to cast all these things out as the worthless things. Their only objective is to obstruct and hinder spiritual growth. Instead, let us crave the righteousness of God, or as Peter says, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” Amen!
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com