One destructive fruit of sinful human nature is malice – the desire to harm someone or the feeling of pleasure at someone’s misfortune (Ps 41:5; Ezek 25:6; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1). Malice is often the cause of false accusations (Exod 23:1; Ps 35:11; Matt 22:18; see HATRED). Unless people deal with their malice, it will bring God’s punishment upon them (Rom 1:29; 2:2). It is an attitude that should have no place among God’s people (1 Cor 5:8; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8; 1 Peter 2:1). The way to overcome malice is through the proper exercise of Christian love (1 Cor 13:6; see LOVE).