EVIL BEHAVIOR
“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 Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV)
The great Apostle Peter speaking to the Christians who were
living as foreigners in the Roman provinces, exhorted them to lay aside or get rid of evil
behavior which their natural inclination as unbelievers before they were
converted and regenerated by their belief in Christ. The good apostle pointed
out the specifics of what he described as evil behavior. These are malice,
deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking.
We need not look far to prove the objective reality of this
human behavior described by St. Peter since these are all too common among
people in this fallen world, with whom we interact. A true Christian would
stand out as a gem when he or she had gotten rid of evil behavior mentioned by
the Apostle.
Let us consider the marks of evil behavior which are evident in
the life of the unregenerate man.
First is malice. Malice is the intention or desire to do
wrong or evil.
Second is deceit. Deceit is fraudulent action or deception.
Third, hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is false pretenses, pretending to
be the kind of person of which one is not, displaying false appearances,
specifically with respect to religious or moral beliefs.
Fourth is envy. Envy is the desire to have or possess the
qualities or virtues which another has.
Fifth is evil speaking. Evil speaking is attacking another
person’s character by false accusation, back biting, slander, gossip, rumor and
ill speaking.
The Apostle Peter reminded the Christians that as followers
of Christ they have been cleaned from these sins and must show sincere love to
each other.(1 Peter 1:24) The badges of evil behavior should be replaced with
love and kindness.
