1 Peter 2:1-3

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” – 1:24-25

Therefore

As a result of the mercy of God which births us again unto a new life, this is now what is the expected result of that new birth.

laying aside all malice

“laying aside” – we give it up, we don’t trade it, or try to improve upon it, we give it up, lay it done. This can only be because of the new life that God has given us due to His abundant mercy.

“all” – we are to let it all go, lay it all down. Nothing should be retained. So what is it that we are giving up, and letting go?

“malice” – (Gr κακία) badness, depravity, malignity, trouble: — evil, malice, naughtiness, wickedness. This is what God’s mercy enables us to give up, to let go, to cast aside!

all deceit

“deceit” – craft, deceit, guile, subtilty. this could be summarised as deception. This also is able to be cast away due to God’s mercy that has given us a new life.

hypocrisy,

“hypocrisy” – the acting of a stage player, we aren’t actors anymore, we are the real deal. We are what we are because we have started a new life in Christ.

envy,

“envy” – jealousy or spite.

and all evil speaking

“evil speaking” – backbiting, evil speaking.

An application:

Father, please show your abundant mercy toward me, and give me that new life, which is able to cast away, depravity, deception, acting, and spite, please give me this new life, I want it, I need it. Thank-you! Amen.