[… rid yourselves of] … malice …
Summary: Words have meanings, and meanings are important. “Malice” may not be a word we use very often anymore, but it is a good word that describes a very common condition.
One of the things Paul encourages us to get rid of is “malice.” Malice is a great word, but one we don’t often use. The simplest definition I found for it is “the intention or desire to do evil.”* More explicitly, it is a desire to do harm or cause suffering.
Okay … “evil” is a small word, but it carries a big stick. What does “evil” mean?
From a worldly perspective, evil is anything that society as a whole doesn’t like. If you would like to personalize that, evil is anything YOU don’t like. It is really that simple.
Except for God.
Those of us who know God know that God is the ultimate standard of GOOD. We also know that anything that is not good, God considers evil.
The Bible is a big book and frankly, it can be hard to digest. Fortunately, Jesus (God) was kind enough to explain it to us in words we can understand. When it comes to the Old Testament “law and prophets,” Jesus explains:
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)
The nice thing about this passage is that it clearly outlines what God deems to be “good.” Since God wants the very best for us (Psalm 37:3-4, John 10:10, Jeremiah 29:11), putting God first in our lives is really putting ourselves first.
Weird, isn’t it?
If we put God first, we are doing the very best possible thing for ourselves. Malice, then, comes from putting ourselves first. When we put ourselves before God, we also put ourselves before others. When that happens, everything that gets in the way of what we want is “evil.”
Murderers probably don’t think of themselves as evil. If they want to hurt someone or cause suffering, I suspect they feel justified somehow. Being abused as a child can leave horrible scars. Public humiliation leaves a mark, too. It is a very human reaction to respond to hurt by wanting to hurt others.
Malice wants to do something that God would say is not good. The cure to malice requires love and forgiveness. The king of love and forgiveness is Jesus Christ. Fortunately, he has enough for us all.
Application: Put God first in everything you think or do.
Food for Thought: As a practical matter, how should we respond to feelings of malice in ourselves?
*Source: Online Dictionary
In one word: repent. We should acknowledge the shortcoming to the Lord and ask for Him to heal our heart. We need to rid ourselves of this which I believe will be a moment by moment decision of the will. We will need the Holy Spirit’s help, but He has the power we need to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh.
Thank you, Rich!
So true! I would add one more step: We need to receive God’s forgiveness and help. I think we forget that part sometimes.
I think Rich hit the nail on the head!
I like to keep the work “malice” and “malignant” closely tied together in my mind, to think of malice as spiritual disease. Do these thoughts or actions foster life or death? (in my relationship with God or my neighbor)
Malice is very easy to entertain. Often it is revenge played out in the mind. It can be as little as a metaphorical “poke in the eye.” I have found myself battling against it here of late with everything going on. I have to cling to the hope that Christ has given me. The malice is counter to the hope. As Rich said, repentance is key, repentance removes the malice and aids in guarding against future thoughts of malice. I read Paul’s words and understand that ridding myself is not a one and done type thing. It is continual. It is truly a minute by minute calling on the Holy Spirit.
Well said, Chris!
I like the associate of “malice” and “malignant.” It is certainly true that if malice takes root it leads to a malignancy that is very destructive.