1 Peter 2:1-3 Why laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings,… I. WHAT IS TO BE LAID ASIDE? "All malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, evil speakings." These are only a few specimens of the many lusts which are to be cast out, if we would enter the kingdom of heaven. If a child has swallowed poison I could not expect that wholesome food would confer any benefit upon him — the poison must be first removed; and if these poisonous evils lodge in your hearts and be not repented of, they prevent the Word of God having its proper effect, they effectually neutralise it. II. THE SPECIAL REASON WHY THESE ARE TO BE "LAID ASIDE." The fact of their being "newborn babes," the apostle urges as a reason why they should put away all these evils. This reason is a very efficacious one. If you are born again, what have you to do any more with the old habits of corruption? III. WHAT IS TO BE DESIRED? "The sincere milk of the Word." IV. FOR WHAT IS THE "SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD" TO BE DESIRED? "That ye may grow thereby." (H. Verschoyle.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,WEB: Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, |
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