1 Peter 2:1 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
This reads like a reverse list of Galatians 5’s fruit of the Spirit or James 3:17’s list of what godly wisdom looks like. Peter describes characteristics of a hostile and miserable person. I must rid myself of these evils. Peter writes these words immediately after exhorting to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart since you have been born again.” The sins of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander become epidemic when I fail to love others.
Father, I have been guilty of this list of sins, especially during the times when I allowed my career-focus to get the better of me. Thank you for the constant work of your Spirit in me, opposing the demands of my foolish ego. Please continue that work today. May my thoughts, intentions, and words be pleasing to you, O Lord.