EVIL BEHAVIOR

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.