1 Peter 2: 1-3 Demolishing The Pillars of Ungodliness

Introduction.

Wherefore: like therefore. What comes is in light of what has gone before.

Author is Peter, a fisherman, and oftimes spokesman for the Apostles.

Written to Jews, but scattered around the Roman empire in small communities

They have heard the Word preached and turned to Christ.

They are under persecution.

They were regenerated through the Word of God from teaching, preaching, and the OT. Word of God is authoritative and constant.

They believe the Gospel.

They are God’s chosen people, so they have the assurance of salvation.

This letter is an indoctrination.

Like Jesus, they are different from the world around them.

Priorities are different

Behaviour is different,

Attitude is different

Jesus is hated, they are hated and persecuted.

Peter is helping them with sanctification.

This letter provides direction and insight on the purpose and role of Christians in God’s plan.

The new Temple is the metaphor Peter is using to help teach us.

In this text, in the beginning of Chapter 2, Peter is commanding us to lay aside our ungodliness as we lay a new foundation for the New Temple.

Interrogative: How are we to prepare ourselves for our role in the Kingdom?

Imperative: We must build a new foundation based on the pure milk of the Word.

Transition:

New Foundation - two stages

Demolish the old

Replace

Must look hard in the mirror of Scripture today.

First Point: Demolishing the old foundation (v 1)

Genesis of the old foundation: sin

Adam and Eve - the curse

The promise:

And I will put enmity

Between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her seed;

He shall bruise you on the head,

And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ge 3:15). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.For if we live in the Spirit, we ought also to walk in the Spirit, as Paul says. (Gal. 5:25.)

For if we live in the Spirit, we ought also to walk in the Spirit, as Paul says. (Gal. 5:25.)

Calvin, J., & Owen, J. (2010). Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles (p. 61). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.,

We tend to try to soften or minimized sin - preachers often do this as well. We want to feel good about ourselves.

Paul:

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,

30 slanderers, ahaters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;

32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ro 1:28–32). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Peter lists five sinful attitudes we must get rid of: Verse 1. There are more traits that we need to lay aside, but these top the list. Other traits are related to these.

1. Malice. Also translated evil, wickedness. Kakian. Vicious intention; desire to hurt someone. Malice is characteristic of preconversion life in opposition to God (Rom. 1:29; Titus 3:3). Christians are frequently called upon to rid their lives of malice (Eph. 4:31–32; Col. 3:8; 1 Pet. 2:1)

defining feature of our society today. It is the defining issue of our society because it is a besetting sin for all of us.

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Tt 3:3). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Matt 6:34 - do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ro 1:29). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Eph 4:31). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. Illustrations of malice

Political attitudes: Merkel, Trump, Obama, their supporters are obvious targets of malice

Social justice: somebody owes something to someone else - 8th and 10th Cmdmts

Family: old hurts. related to bitterness.

All desire to get even

You know the feeling - its that feeling you get when you are hurt or offended by someone. Nine times out of ten, your reaction will be malicious - filled with malice.

Antonym: benevolence

2.Deceitful; Deceive; Deception; etc. A tool for manipulating for personal advantage.

Also translated as guile. [Heb. mirmâ, remîyâ, šeqer, tarmîṯ, kāzāḇ (Prov. 23:3), ‘āqōḇ (Jer. 17:9), tāp̱ēl (Lam. 2:14), ’aḵzāḇ (Jer. 15:18; Mic. 1:14), vbs rāmâ, nāšā’, pāṯâ, ‘āšaq (Lev. 6:2), šālâ (2 K. 4:28), šāg̱â, šāg̱ag̱ (Job 12:16), hāṯal (13:9), tā‘â (15:31), sûṯ (Jer. 38:22), kāḥaš (Zec. 13:4); Gk. apátē, dólos, plánē, dólios, plános, phrenapátēs (Tit. 1:10), vbs apatáō, exapatáō, dolióō (Rom. 3:13), planáō, planáomai (Jas. 1:16), paralogízomai (1:22), phrenapatáō (Gal. 6:3)]; AV also GUILE, FALSEHOOD, CRAFT, SUBTILTY, LIE, LYING, LIAR, FOOLISH, FEIGNED, SEDUCING, SEDUCE, BEGUILE, MOCK (hāṯal), ENTICE (pāṯâ), SET ON (sûṯ), ERR (Jas. 1:16), DECEIVABLENESS (2 Thess. 2:10, RSV “deception”); NEB also TREACHERY, LIES, FRAUD, SLANDER, FALSEHOOD, “deluding fancies” (Jer. 23:26), “crafty designs” (Dnl. 8:25), WILES (He. 3:13), “painted shams” (tāp̱ēl), “not what they seem” (kāzāḇ), DELUSION (Prov. 31:30), TRAITOR (Ps. 5:6), LIAR (43:1), SCANDAL-MONGER (101:7), SLANDEROUS (52:4; 120:3), FALSE (36:3), DISHONEST (Gen. 34:13), “not to be trusted” (Jer. 15:18), FRAUDULENT (Dnl. 11:23; Am. 8:5), SWINDLER (Acts 13:10), CROOKED (2 Cor. 11:13), DELUSIVE (Col. 2:8), DELUDE, LEAD ASTRAY, MISLEAD, SEDUCE, “play a trick on” (Josh. 9:22; 1 S. 19:17), TRICK (Jer. 20:10), DUPE (20:7), BREAK FAITH (Lam. 1:19), MISREPRESENT (Prov. 24:28), “be taken in” (2 K. 18:29), QUIBBLE (hāṯal, Job 13:9), “raise my hopes and then dash them” (2 K. 4:28), “allege what is false” (Job 13:7, RSV “speak deceitfully”), “commit perjury” (Ps. 24:4, RSV “swear deceitfully”), DISAPPOINT (’aḵzāḇ, Mic. 1:14), “make no mistake” for “be not deceived” (usually Gk. mḗ planásthe, 1 Cor. 3:18; 6:9; 15:33; Gal. 6:7; Jas. 1:16), etc

9th Commandment - Lying.

Very subtle - misrepresenting yourself or others.

Imputing evil falsely to another’s intentions

Soviets

Ethnic groups: Jews, Blacks, Whites, Latinos

Calvinists and Arminians - other brothers in Christ

Running others down to build up yourself.

Jesus commands yea, yea, nay, nay

Antonym: honesty

3. HYPOCRISY Pretense to being what one really is not, especially the pretense of being a better person than one really is. The word is based on the Greek hupokrisis, originally meaning to give an answer. A hypocrite in classical Greek could be an interpreter of dreams, an orator, a reciter of poetry, or an actor. Originally a neutral term, “hypocrite” gained the negative connotation of pretense, duplicity, or insincerity.

Matt 23 :13-36 is hypocrisy. Jesus equates Pharisaism w/hypocrisy.

Church is a great place for hypocrisy. We are all hurting or suffering from our sin or the sins of others, but we put on our Sunday best and try to appear pious.

Antonym: honesty or sincerity

4. ENVY Painful or resentful awareness of another’s advantage joined with the desire to possess the same advantage. The advantage may concern material goods (Gen. 26:14) or social status (30:1). Old Testament wisdom frequently warns against envying the arrogant (Ps. 73:3), the violent (Prov. 3:31), or the wicked (Ps. 37:1; Prov. 24:1, 19). In the NT “envy” is a common member of vice lists as that which comes out of the person and defiles (Mark 7:22), as a characteristic of humanity in rebellion to God (Rom. 1:29), as a fruit of the flesh (Gal. 5:21), as a characteristic of unregenerate life (Titus 3:3), and as a trait of false teachers (1 Tim. 6:4). “Envy” (sometimes translated “jealousy” by modern translations) was the motive leading to the arrest of Jesus (Matt. 27:18; Mark 15:10) and to opposition to the gospel in Acts (Acts 5:17, 13:45; 17:5). Christians are called to avoid envy (Gal. 5:26; 1 Pet. 2:1).

10th Commandment

Social justice wanting what others have. Wanting to steal it from them (8th Cmdt)

Antonym: generosity

5. Slander; Slanderer [Heb. rāg̱al—‘use the feet,’ ‘go about for spying or gossip’] (Ps. 15:3; piel, 2 S. 19:27); AV also BACKBITE; NEB HAVE MALICE, STORIES; [rāḵîl] (Lev. 19:16; Jer. 6:28; 9:4 [MT 3]; Ezk. 22:9); AV also TALEBEARER, TALES; NEB also MISCHIEFMAKER, INFORMER; [lāšan—‘use the tongue (for slander)’] (piel, Ps. 101:5; hiphil, Prov. 30:10); AV also ACCUSE; NEB SPREAD TALES, DISPARAGE; [ʾîš lāšôn—‘man of the tongue’] (Ps. 140:11 [MT 12]); AV EVIL SPEAKER; [dibbâ—‘calumny’] (Prov. 10:18); NEB CALUMNY; [qāraʿ—‘tear up’] (Ps. 35:15); AV TEAR; NEB JEER; [nāṯan dop̱î—‘give fault’] (Ps. 50:20); NEB STAB IN THE BACK; [ʾāḵal ʾeṯ-bāśār—‘eat the flesh’] (Ps. 27:2); AV EAT THE FLESH; NEB DEVOUR; [Gk. blasphēmía—‘abusive speech’] (Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:22; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1 Tim. 6:4; Rev. 2:9); AV BLASPHEMY, EVIL SPEAKING, RAILING; NEB also CURSING; [dysphēméō—‘speak ill of’] (1 Cor. 4:13); AV DEFAME; [katalalía—‘evil report,’ ‘defamation’] (2 Cor. 12:20; 1 Pet. 2:1); NEB BACKBITING, RECRIMINATION; [katálalos] (Rom. 1:30); AV BACKBITER; NEB SCANDAL-MONGER; [(ho) diábolos—‘slanderer;’ ‘devil’] (1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 2:3); AV also FALSE ACCUSER; NEB WHO … TALK SCANDAL, SCANDAL-MONGER; SLANDEROUSLY [Gk. blasphēméō—‘defame,’ ‘blaspheme’] (Rom. 3:8); NEB LIBELLOUSLY. The utterance of lies that damage another’s reputation; one who utters such malicious accusations.Both the OT and the contain frequent condemnations of the sin of slander. The Mosaic law forbade the Israelite to “go up and down as a slanderer among your people” (Lev. 19:16). The Decalogue specifically condemned bearing “false witness” (Ex. 20:16), i.e., carrying slander into a court of law. Slandering a servant to his master was an especially malicious act (Prov. 30:10). Because of its destructive consequences, slander was viewed as a crime worthy of severe punishment (cf. Ps. 101:5; 140:11 [MT 12]). Paul included slanderers in his catalogs of evil-doers (Rom. 1:30; 2 Tim. 3:3; cf. 2 Cor. 12:20; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1 Tim. 6:4). In Rom. 3:8 Paul complains that “Some people slanderously charge[d]” him with encouraging immorality by his doctrine of justification.It is significant that the great accuser and slanderer of God and His people is Satan himself (cf. Gen. 3:4f.; Job 1:9–11; 2:4f.; Zec. 3:1). The LXX used Gk. diábolos to render Heb. śāṭān (“Satan,” “accuser,” “adversary”), and the frequently uses diábolos in the sense of “devil” (see RSV Mt. 4:1–11 par; 13:39; 25:41; Lk. 8:12; Jn. 6:70; 13:2; Acts 10:38; 13:10; etc.; cf. 1 Tim. 3:6f [mg “slanderer”]). Satan’s role as liar and slanderer is emphasized especially in the Johannine literature. The devil “has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (Jn. 8:44). It is he who instigates the ultimate slander, for “who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” (1 Jn. 2:22). Rev. 12 describes a war in heaven in which Michael and his angels defeat “that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil [Diábolos] and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (v 9). Salvation is complete when “the accuser of our brethen has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God” (v 10).This was our old diet. We are born again, so we need to start on a new diet.

Very close to malice-component of it.

Another great sport in some churches.

All of this is a mass of filth.

Satan rejoices in it.

Argumentation:

Twitter and Facebook characterizes much today’s conversation.

Atheists

Apostates and liberals

Reformed peopleHow do you respond to these?

Anger - Be sensitive to your emotions - are they Godly or no?

Critical spirit?

Pastoral spirit?

Kindness?

What is their pain?

What is their need?

Exhortation: Cast away evil - forsake it completely. Feed on the Word, the bread of life, not just for us, but all. Prepare yourself for your new roles - this is a continuous action.

what I have to say 1) true, 2) edifying, 3) necessary. James 3:1-12

Antonym: acclamation or praise.

Exhortation: Gal 5:19-26.

get your mouth under control. New morals ought to follow new life.

A new foundation.(vv 2-3)

None of these traits was reflected by Christ. are adopted sons and daughters of the Master. Newborn babies. Reborn. We must re-conform ourselves in His image. Christ has redeemed us and continues to redeem us, through the Holy Spirit.

Newborn babes have a single minded fixation on Momma’s milk.

“long for” epipothsate - to desire or long for. Aorist verb, command. Do this, so that you may grow in respect to salvation. Take your medicine.

old diet led to death, the new leads to salvation.

We need a purgative, something to flush out the system from the filth it contains. That is the Word of God, pure and unadulterated. Jesus said that “apart from me, you can do nothing.”

Hebrews 5:11-14: this illustration is negative, but here is is positive. It is a command. Pure milk of the Word - not watered down. Not corrupted.

The biblical idea of salvation involves three notions.

First is the rescue from danger, harm, or even death of an individual, group, or nation. Most specifically salvation is the rescue from sin and death. Second is the renewing of the spirit. Scripture explains that humanity fell from the original condition of moral purity into the state of sin. God’s salvation always renews the spirit of a person to lead a life that is morally pleasing to Him. Third is the restoration of a right relationship with God. One of the effects of sin is separation from God. The written word of God makes clear that salvation restores one’s relationship with God, as Rom. 5:10 says, “For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.”

Argumentation:

Taking of the milk of the word is hard, because we are so overtaken by sin - prayer is hard, study is hard, listening to the Word is hard because of our sinful nature.

Many false teachings and prophets competing for our attention - they appeal to our flesh.

Compliment and affirm our reliance on those pillars of ungodliness

Growing in salvation - taking of the pure milk of the Word, is work, but the rewards are glorious.

The Kindness of the Lord (v 3)

The kindness of the Lord is so good, so benevolent, so loving, so honest. It is interesting that Peter compares it to mother’s milk

Taste and see the the Lord is good (Ps 34:8) How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

When you understand that, you fully appreciate how you have tasted the Lord’s kindness.

In the NT kindness is translated from the Greek word chrestotes. This word can describe gentleness, goodness, uprightness, generosity, and graciousness. The NT describes kindness as an attribute of God (Titus 3:4; HCSB, love). Kindness is a characteristic of true love (1 Cor. 13:4). The Lord’s people should possess kindness and not refuse to dispense it to others (Matt. 5:7; Acts 20:35; Rom. 15:2–5; Eph. 4:32; 1 Pet. 3:8; 4:8; 1 John 3:17). At the time of judgment Christ will reward those who have shown kindness to others (Matt. 25:34–36). Kindness can be seen in the deeds of people such as Joseph (Matt. 1:19), the centurion (Luke 7:2–6), John (John 19:27), Julius (Acts 27:3, 43), and Onesiphorus (2 Tim. 1:16–18).

Conclusion:

If you have tasted of the kindness of the Lord, the Bible tells you how to show your gratitude to God. We must conform ourselves in the image of Christ and that is especially with the five pillars of unGodliness. We are all guilty of these and when we exhibit these behaviours, we show we show our friendship with the world - we ought not to be that way.

If you have not tasted of the kindness of the Lord, this is sad and its a shame. Christ invites all to turn to Him and He will forgive their sins. Have you turned to Christ? Until you do, you cannot expect to taste that kindness of the Lord. Turn to Christ and you no longer have to worry about the hereafter - He has prepared a place for you in heaven. Turn to Christ and live.