THE BADGES OF BAD ATTITUDE

THE BADGES OF BAD ATTITUDE

1 Peter 1:1-2:

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

In this passage the great Apostle Peter speaking to the believers who were living as foreigners in the Roman provinces exhorted them by laying aside or getting rid of evil behavior which was the natural bent of unbelievers before they were converted and regenerated by their faith in Christ.

Peter mentions specifically malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and evil speaking. We need not look far to prove the reality of this human behavior described by St. Peter, since these are all too common in human relationships.  A true Christian would stand out as a gem, if he succeeds to be rid of evil behavior mentioned by the Apostle Peter, which obviously are the marks of the unregenerate man.

Let’s look at them. Malice is the intentional desire to do wrong or evil. Deceit is fraudulent action or deception. Hypocrisy is false pretenses, pretending the kind of person of which he is not, displaying false appearances, especially with respect to religious or moral beliefs. Envy is the desire to have or possess the qualities or virtues which another has. Evil speaking is attacking another person’s character, by false accusation, backbiting, slander, gossip rumors, and ill speaking against another.

There is something remarkable in the Apostle’s exhortation which I would like to add as a footnote. Lawyers would agree that malice,  deceit, and evil speaking are recognized in our civil and penal laws as elements of a crime or violation of a right. Slander is an offense under our penal law. Envy is  subjective, but when it manifests itself and results in overt action, which would violate the rights of another, it might be a legally actionable wrong.

What I am saying is this. It is amazing that the principles we derive from God’s word are remarkably foundational and could be found as legal precepts in the secular legal system. It is my prayer that lawyers and judges should study God’s Word, for wisdom and direction. It is also my prayer that lawyers should not use the “law with an evil eye or uneven hand.”

St. Peter reminded the Christians that as followers of Christ they have been cleaned of this human faults,  and must show perfect love for each other. (1 Peter 1:24).

The badges of evil behavior should be removed and replaced with love and kindness.