1 Peter 2:1-10

Be Still: Lord Jesus, you withdrew often to quiet places to pray, teach me to do the same. In the stillness of this moment, help me to let go of every distraction. 

Read: 1 Peter 2:1-10

'So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech; like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfilment],’ (v1-2)

Encounter: One of the most beautiful truths is that we are all children of the same heavenly Father – we are a family. But sin can create barriers between us and divide us. Peter highlights that some of the things that can damage our family are malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. These things damage and distort God’s beautiful family.

Peter’s encouragement is to put these things to one side. Easier said than done, right? I’ve wrestled with envy when I’ve seen others succeed. And in those moments my heart has been filled with jealousy. But none of this did me any favours. Instead, these feelings distanced me from others in God’s family. We want to be a church family that is strong in love for one another.

Peter suggests that the antidote to the destructive things in our hearts is a longing for ‘the pure milk of the Word.’ God’s word is active and continually shapes us into His image. The emphasis is that this is primarily God’s work. It is God’s word and his Holy Spirit that transforms us into the image of Himself. So, are we making space for God to do this transformative work in our lives? Let’s invite God to continue his transformative work in our hearts that we might become those who can love one another well in God’s family.

Apply: Consider your relationships with others in God’s family today. Are there things in your heart that are distancing you from others? 

Devote: Lord, would you advance the work of your Holy Spirit in me today. Remove all blindness of heart, pride, vanity, hypocrisy, envy, hatred, and malice that gets in the way of me loving others in your beautiful family.