The term "deceiveth" is an archaic form of the verb "deceive," which means to mislead or cause someone to believe something that is not true. In the context of the Bible, deception is often associated with sin, falsehood, and the work of Satan. The concept of deception is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, warning believers to be vigilant against false teachings and deceitful practices.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, deception is frequently depicted as a tool of the wicked. Proverbs 24:28 warns, "Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips." This highlights the moral imperative to speak truthfully and avoid misleading others. The account of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 27 is a notable example of deception, where Jacob deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. This act of deceit leads to significant familial strife and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deception.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to address the issue of deception, particularly in the context of spiritual warfare and false teachings. In Matthew 24:4-5, Jesus warns His disciples, "See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many." This passage underscores the importance of discernment and vigilance in the face of false prophets and messianic pretenders.

The Apostle Paul also addresses deception in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, he expresses concern for the Corinthian church, saying, "I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." Here, Paul draws a parallel between the deception of Eve in the Garden of Eden and the potential for believers to be led astray by false teachings.

Satan as the Deceiver

Satan is often identified as the ultimate deceiver in Scripture. Revelation 12:9 describes him as "the great dragon... who deceives the whole world." This portrayal emphasizes the pervasive and insidious nature of Satan's deception, which seeks to undermine God's truth and lead humanity away from salvation.

Exhortations to Believers

Believers are repeatedly exhorted to guard against deception. Ephesians 5:6 cautions, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience." This admonition highlights the danger of being swayed by false doctrines and the importance of adhering to the truth of the Gospel.

In 1 John 3:7, the apostle John encourages believers, "Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." This verse reinforces the idea that true righteousness is evidenced by one's actions and alignment with God's will, rather than mere words or appearances.

Conclusion

The theme of deception in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the need for discernment and faithfulness to God's truth. Believers are called to be vigilant, to test the spirits, and to hold fast to the teachings of Christ, resisting the allure of falsehood and the schemes of the deceiver.

John vii. 9, 10
... "And some said, He is a good man; others said, Nay, but He deceiveth the people.". ...
"He deceiveth," say they, "the people." How, tell me? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlix john vii 9.htm

Upon the Government of the Tongue.
... JAMES i.26. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue,
but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon iv upon the government.htm

John Chapter vii. 13-Jan
... "Some said, He is a good man; but others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people."
We must understand this of all His servants: this is said now of them. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxviii john chapter vii.htm

The Two-Horned Beast.
... And he deceiveth those, who dwell on the earth, by means of the signs which it was
given him to perform in the sight of the wild beast; saying to those, who ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the two-horned beast.htm

The Tongue.
... "If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth
his own heart, this man's religion is vain." He protested against that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

Let Thus Much have Been Said with Regard to Charity...
... For it cannot be that the divine Scripture deceiveth or is deceived, which not only
in the Old Books hath testimonies of this thing, when it is said unto God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /20 let thus much have.htm

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Church Officers Warned of Vain ...
... 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.3 For if a man
thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.4 But ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fifteenth sunday after trinity church.htm

"The Truth. " Some Generals Proposed.
... in, though it lead to destruction. 10. Freedom from challenges of conscience
deceiveth many. Though these and such like ways be ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter x the truth some.htm

James i. 26, 27
... Writing to other churches he might have selected other examples. "If any man among
you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james i 26 27.htm

Chapter v.
... when our reputation is injured in our absence, as it is also written of Him, "Some
said, He is a prophet; [48] others said, Nay, but He deceiveth the people ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter v.htm

Deceiveth (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Deceiveth (8 Occurrences). ... Galatians 6:3 For if a man think
himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. ...
/d/deceiveth.htm - 8k

Thinketh (17 Occurrences)
... Lord. (ASV WBS). Galatians 6:3 For if a man thinketh himself to be something
when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (ASV WBS). ...
/t/thinketh.htm - 11k

Mocker (11 Occurrences)
... deride" (Judges 16:10, 13, 15 1 Kings 18:27, "Elijah mocked them"; Job 13:9 twice,
the Revised Version (British and American) "deceiveth," "deceive," margin ...
/m/mocker.htm - 14k

Mocking (25 Occurrences)
... deride" (Judges 16:10, 13, 15 1 Kings 18:27, "Elijah mocked them"; Job 13:9 twice,
the Revised Version (British and American) "deceiveth," "deceive," margin ...
/m/mocking.htm - 18k

Mock (43 Occurrences)
... deride" (Judges 16:10, 13, 15 1 Kings 18:27, "Elijah mocked them"; Job 13:9 twice,
the Revised Version (British and American) "deceiveth," "deceive," margin ...
/m/mock.htm - 23k

Deceiving (18 Occurrences)

/d/deceiving.htm - 11k

Nay (92 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 7:12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for
some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. ...
/n/nay.htm - 34k

Fleeing (38 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:20 and Jacob deceiveth the heart of Laban the Aramaean, because
he hath not declared to him that he is fleeing; (YLT NAS). ...
/f/fleeing.htm - 18k

Deceivest (1 Occurrence)

/d/deceivest.htm - 6k

Michael (16 Occurrences)
... He is also represented as warning against "that old serpent, called the Devil,
and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Revelation 12:7-9). ...
/m/michael.htm - 16k

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