1 Peter 2:1 "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking," Notice this verse starts with Therefore; when it starts with therefore we need to look back to the previous verses to see what it is referring to. In view of the transitory quality of human life and the permanence of the divine Word, Peter exhorted believers to change their lifestyle. Here He lists five sins of attitude and speech which if harbored would drive wedges between believers: Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.
As children of God we are to love one another. Peter exhorts us to get rid of these traits, to cast out impure desires and motives, Instead he exhorts us to feed on wholesome spiritual food that produces growth.
Let's look at 1 Peter 2:2 "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby". The word "desire" here is in the Aorist Imperative - meaning it is a command. We are to crave one thing - God's word. Peter exhorts us to be as eager for the nourishment of the Word as babies are for milk. He did not say we are to act like babes, but are to be like babes in their desire or craving for milk. We should desire God's word that produces growth - we should be growing spiritually every day.
Too many believers crave the Word here and there, sporadically. Growth can come only as we live in the Word day by day. God's word empowers us to live for The Lord in every aspect of our lives.
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