"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." Ephesians 4:31

In Ephesians 4 The Apostle Paul tells us to, "...Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." Vs. 22 And, "...Put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness." Vs. 24 Then he goes on to give us several examples of areas that need to be changed. (Read verses 17-32 of the changed life we are called to live.)

Verse 31 is a list of actions/reactions that are common to our old man ending with malice. Words that I have found that defines malice are:
badness, depravity, evil, wicked, vicious and an active intent to harm others. Our opening verse ends with, 'along with all malice'. This, then, means all evil and wickedness of the old sinful man must be put away!

Let's see what Scripture tells us of malice. The causes of malice are-- An unregenerate heart:
Speaking of a wicked man in Proverbs 6 says, "Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.
Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy." Vs. 14-15

Proverbs 6:16-19 goes on to tell us,
"These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue.
Hand that shed innocent blood.
A heart that devises wicked plans.
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren."

What is the Christians attitude toward malice? It is-- To clean out:
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (leaven here meaning evil) says:
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover was sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and  truth."

To put off:
"But now you must put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." Colossians 3:8

Lay aside:
"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking...desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby."
1 Peter 2:1-2

Pray for those guilty of evil:
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, tells us:
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matthew 5:44

Going back to Ephesians 4 we are reminded that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit who indwells every Believer. It is to Him that we yield as He leads and guides in the path of righteousness!
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were  sealed for the day of redemption."  Vs. 30

And instead of behaving as our opening verse describes, we are admonished
to:
"And be kind to one another tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Vs. 32

Father thank you for Your plan for each of our lives -- redeemed and reconciled to You in Christ Jesus our Lord!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thank you Father and Christ Jesus for sending us the Holy Spirit of Truth who dwells in us! We know that we are loved and blessed beyond comprehension! We give you praise, honor and glory most holy and awesome God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen