Rid yourselves of all malice.
—1 Peter 2:1
Elimination of malice gives birth to transformation.
Peter wrote: “Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander” (1 Pt 2:1).
Malice is a broad term that includes all wicked ways. The four nouns that follow malice in Peter’s sentence are manifestations of malice.
Deceit is a major weapon in the arsenal of those who seek to deceive and manipulate others for their own ends.
Hypocrisy describes those who engage in stagecraft, pretending to be something they are not.
Envy rears its head in every setting where concern for one’s own status is primary; it’s hard to control and has been called “the last sin to die.”
Slander is evil-speaking: backbiting, gossiping, and defamation of another’s character.
Check the boxes.
Slam the door on malice.