Bible Studies


Quick! Get Rid of It!

by Anonymous


Think about the following questions for a moment:

1. Do my words ever harm others?

2. In what ways can my thoughts harm others?

3. If I intentionally deceive or mislead someone, or covet what they have, or spread damaging information, how are others hurt? How am I hurt?

In 1 Peter 2:1, we read, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.”

Many people fall into the trap of one or more of the above sins. It can even happen when you least expect it, such as when you are tired or stressed. For instance, one prominent politician who was committing adultery began accusing his wife of the very act he was guilty of! And don’t think that Believers are immune to such things either! That is why the author of 1 Peter 2:1 felt the need to address it in the first place. Such wrong things can happen to anyone if they are not careful.

Believers need to stay as close to Yahweh as possible in these trying times. Hypocrisy can be one of the most prevalent of sins among Believers. One may feel that they are more “spiritual” than another. Or one may feel he or she is doing more for Yahweh than the rest. We are all at different levels in our walk with Yahweh, and we are all “working out our own salvation.”

It is critical that we cast out evil thoughts as soon as they enter our heads. Do not allow them to fester. One small evil thought can grow into a mountain-sized problem. It is much easier to grab a random thought and control it, than it is to deal with full-blown sin later on. Prayer can work wonders in dealing with negative and evil thoughts, because if you are on your knees praising Yahweh and seeking His will, you’ll be less likely to be allowing other thoughts to enter. Remember that the more difficult sins can be overcome with prayer and fasting. Keep up the good fight!