Crave Pure Spiritual Milk – 1 Peter 2 v 1-3

1 Peter 2:1-3 are three Bible verses that speak so much about spiritual growth for every believer, especially the mature child of God in the faith. Yes, you may have read 1 Peter 2:2 several times and thought that verse was speaking about babes in Christ desiring to grow, probably because of the phrase “crave pure spiritual milk” as written in 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) or “desire the pure milk of the Word” as in 1 Peter 2:2 NKJV. But I believe it speaks more than that.

In the opening verses of the Epistle (1 Peter 1:1-2), the Apostle addressed the letter to pilgrims in Christ who were persecuted for their faith and yet unwavering. So for the Apostle to tell them that they should crave pure spiritual milk as newborn babes, it doesn’t necessarily mean the milk of the Word is for babes alone. Why? Because these Christians to whom the letter got addressed were mature, so much so that Peter said their souls had been purified by the trials they’ve endured for the sake of the gospel (see 1 Peter 1:22). So with this background understanding in view, let’s delve into today’s study.

Verse 1

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,”

1 Peter 2:1 (NKJV)

In this verse, Peter mentions five works of the flesh that are counteractive to a believer’s spiritual growth in Christ, especially the mature ones. These are

1. Malice, which means spitefulness or hostility.
2. Deceit, which means guile or craftiness.
3. Hypocrisy, which means leading a double life.
4. Envy, meaning jealousy or covetousness.
5. Evil speaking.

If Peter is saying this to mature believers as to whom he addressed the epistle, then it means that it doesn’t matter how spiritually mature you are in the Lord, these things can affect your growth.

So at this juncture, I would love it if you evaluate your life to run checks on these things. Because if you spot any and develop a permanent solution to that attitude with God’s help, you’ll pave way for a greater tomorrow in your walk with God. Why? Because you’d have dealt with a parasite against your spiritual maturity in the Lord.

No matter how high a building is, if the foundation is faulty, everything in that building and the building itself is at stake.

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Verse 2

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,”

1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)

Instead of using the New King James Version (NKJV) for this verse, I choose the New International Version (NIV) because it paints a clearer picture for this study.

So to the mature believers, God, through Peter, is saying that they should crave pure spiritual milk. In other words, they shouldn’t settle for less when taking spiritual food frequently.

“Have you seen a toddler cry to his mum for breastmilk?” If yes, you’d notice that the baby won’t stop crying until he gets fed. Now, that is the exact thing God wants you to do as His child when it’s about feeding on His Word. He wants you to be so hungry to take more of the Word every day, regardless of your spiritual growth level.

And for Peter to use spiritual milk, it means that even if you’re a mature believer in Christ, don’t downplay the foundational teachings of Christ, as enlisted in Hebrews 6:1-2 NKJV – “[1] …repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, [2] of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

Sometimes, people want to go deep into God while forgetting to understand these simple teachings of Christ. But I want to tell you that no matter how high a building is, if the foundation is faulty, everything in that building and the building itself is at stake.

Learn to get grounded in the teachings of Christ so that going deep in revelation wouldn’t affect the simplicity of the gospel of Christ you carry. When you do this, you’ll grow well in your salvation.

Verse 3

“if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

1 Peter 2:3 (NKJV)

Verse 3 gives an add-on to what Peter was saying to the believers. Because they’ve tasted the graciousness of God by holding on firmly to the faith of Jesus, even through afflictions, they’ve got to pay more attention to their growth.

Yes, this verse isn’t for everyone, probably because some children of God may not have gone through these sufferings in Christ. But I hope that when issues arise in life, you’ll not despise how God has kept you strong in Him.

You’re a blessing.