Introduction:      This is a powerful passage of Scripture. It uses some descriptive and active words. The imperative “laying aside” = to strip off, and the imperative “desire” = to crave. Believers are to strip off some things crave the Word of God. Follow as the Lord opens these principals. Having a gusto for growth includes:

I.          SOME THINGS TO PUT ASIDE (V.1)
“Laying aside” = duel meaning with both in view here (to strip off & cleanse). 5 things are mentioned and all have to do with what’s already been said (v.22). The very things we are to lay aside are the things that soil our love.

A.        Put Aside Malice. (v.1a)
the word means 2 things:

• In General – wickedness (all kinds and forms of evil) - (Rom.1:29-32)
• In Particular – deep seated feeling against a person; hatred that lasts on and on. It means to be vicious, spiteful, and to hold a grudge.

The charge is strong: believers are to strip off malice. Believers are to be pure and clean. (Titus 3:3)  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

B.        Put Aside Guile. (v.1b)

The word means to deceive and mislead people. From an old word “dello”, meaning to catch with bait; (probably meant to decoy).

         C.    Put Aside Hypocrisy. (v.1c)
this word means one who pretends or actins under a false part. The plural is used to mean all forms of hypocrisies.

D.        Put Aside Envy. (v.1d)
Ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy (spite). (Phil 1:15) Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

E.         Put Aside Slander. (v.1e)
backbiting, evil speaking. Talkative against, i.e. a slanderer: -- backbiter.
We must constantly seek to put off the characteristics of the old nature.

II.         SOME THINGS TO PUT INSIDE (V.2)
The believer is to crave one thing…the Word of God!

A.        A Serious Desire to Grow (Intense v.2a)
”Desire” = to crave, yearn, or long for. (Psa 19:9-10)  "…the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. {10} More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." When you desire this Word more than you do money – something wonderful will happen in your life! Do you know what’s wrong with your spiritual life? Maybe you don’t have a hunger for the Word of God!

            B.         A Sincere Desire to Grow. (v.2b)
"long for the pure milk of the word" - (Job 23:10 -12)  "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. {11} My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. {12} Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." Job said that the words of this Book are more important, more precious, and more needful for me than the food that I eat. When this Book gets as important to you as your physical food, then you will begin to grow in your Christian life.

C.         A Sustaining Desire to Grow. (v.2c)
The purpose of craving and yearning after the Word of God is that we may grow. (Psa 119:162)  "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." David said for him to go into the Word of God was like going on a treasure hunt. Just dive down deep in the Word – put in inside! Do you have a hunger for God’s Word like that? Are you growing? Do you have a desire to grow – a gusto for growth? God has a Design for Growth.

III.       SOME THINGS TO PROVE (V.3)

A.                 Proving That You Have Tasted. (v.3a)

We taste that the Lord is gracious. God feeds us, nourishes and natures us.

            B.         Proving That You Have Trusted. (v.3b)
as we crave and yearn for His Word, He grows us more and more into His image.

Conclusion:       Is Jesus showing in our lives? If we are growing there will be proof.