In the previous chapter, Peter discussed that as believers, we have received the new birth, being born of incorruptible seed, the word of God. Now, as believers, we have a new nature, and we are to live in that new nature by the power of the Holy Spirit. We have been brought into a loving relationship with One whom, having not seen, we love! Our love for Christ should produce a desire to please Him! The work of Christ has settled every question that sin has raised between God and the believer. But God wants us to value the work of redemption by living lives that demonstrate that we have been born again.
In Chapter 2:1, Peter would inform us as believers to rid ourselves of five sins that would bring about disunity among believers. In this verse, Peter is not addressing unbelievers, but believers. Peter says that the first sin that needs to be dealt with is “malice.” Malice is gross hatred. Christians should not harbor hatred toward one another. Jesus Christ enjoins us to love one another, for St. John 13:35 says: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Another sin that Christians are to rid themselves of is guile, which is simply deceit. In other words, we should practice being honest with one another. The next two sins are hypocrisy (pretending to be what you are not) and envy (active resentment). Lastly, Peter says that evil speaking (meaning slander) should be cast aside because it would promote disunity in the body of Christ. However, Peter says that a believer should be eager, hungry for the word of God as babes are for milk.
As we rid ourselves of the various sins enumerated in verse 1, we need to nourish on spiritual food that produces growth. Just as a hungry baby reaches for the bottle, a believer is to desire the word of God. A child of God needs spiritual nutrition from the word of God. There is no growth apart from the word of God. In verse 3, Peter likened their experience of having a present knowledge of Christ to tasting. They had experienced God’s grace in their new birth and have discovered that indeed the Lord is good. Once you gain knowledge of the Lord, you will see that He is good, for Psalm 34:8 says: “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”
As you begin to allow God’s Spirit to work in you, you will readily acknowledge with the psalmist – “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
