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I Peter 2:1


Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
(NIV)
(I included links to studylight.org for the greek definitions of each of these terms.)

Peter tells us to "rid ourselves" of these things.  That "rid ourselves" literally means to "make separate".  This malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander need to be items that are completely separate from us!  "Take them off!  Put them over there!" he is telling us.

It is written expressly as a command, but throughout this book there is sprinkled the empowering grace of God.  There is a partnership with Him in this sanctifying work.  It is us doing it, but it isn't us... It is HIM.

I would like to encourage you to re-read chapter 1 and then look up each of these words that I have linked in the verse.

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