Topical Encyclopedia The Bible frequently addresses the character of the wicked, often highlighting deceitfulness as a defining trait. Deceit, in biblical terms, refers to the act of misleading or lying, often with the intent to harm or gain an unfair advantage. This characteristic is consistently condemned throughout Scripture, as it stands in stark contrast to the truthfulness and integrity that God desires from His people.Old Testament Insights The Old Testament provides numerous examples and warnings about deceit. In the Psalms, deceit is portrayed as a hallmark of the wicked. Psalm 10:7 states, "His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue." This verse illustrates how deceit is not only a verbal sin but also a reflection of the inner corruption of the wicked. Proverbs, a book dedicated to wisdom and moral instruction, frequently contrasts the righteous and the wicked. Proverbs 12:5 declares, "The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit." Here, deceit is shown as a natural outcome of the wicked's intentions and plans, emphasizing the moral divergence between those who follow God's ways and those who do not. Jeremiah, a prophet who often spoke against the moral decay of his time, also highlights deceit as a pervasive sin. In Jeremiah 9:8 , he laments, "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With his mouth, one speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him." This passage underscores the duplicity of the wicked, who outwardly appear friendly but harbor malicious intent. New Testament Teachings The New Testament continues to address the deceitfulness of the wicked, often in the context of false teachings and hypocrisy. Jesus Himself warned against deceit, particularly among religious leaders. In Matthew 23:28 , He rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." This admonition highlights the danger of deceit cloaked in religious piety. The Apostle Paul also speaks against deceit, especially in the context of false apostles and teachers. In 2 Corinthians 11:13 , he writes, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ." Paul warns the early church of those who would use deceit to lead believers astray, emphasizing the need for discernment and adherence to the truth. In his epistles, Peter echoes this sentiment, urging believers to rid themselves of deceit. 1 Peter 2:1 instructs, "Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander." This call to action reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which enables believers to reject the deceitful ways of the wicked and embrace a life of sincerity and truth. Theological Implications The deceitfulness of the wicked is not merely a moral failing but a spiritual condition that separates individuals from God. Deceit is fundamentally opposed to the nature of God, who is described as a God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4). The prevalence of deceit among the wicked serves as a reminder of the fallen state of humanity and the need for redemption through Christ. Throughout Scripture, the deceitful character of the wicked is consistently portrayed as a barrier to genuine relationship with God and others. It is a sin that not only harms those who are deceived but also corrupts the deceiver, leading to further alienation from God's truth and righteousness. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 5:6You shall destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. Nave's Topical Index Romans 3:13 Library The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of ... Absurdities of the Heretics as to their Own Origin: their Opinions ... General Character of Christians. Of Porphyry's Epistle to Anebo, in which He Asks for Information ... Of the Character of the Unregenerate. Introduction Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded. A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ... Psalm CXX. Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ... Resources The Character of God ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgSinful Character Traits ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Christian Character ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Character: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Character of Saints: Attentive to Christ's Voice Character of Saints: Blameless and Harmless Character of Saints: Fearing God Character of Saints: Following Christ Character of Saints: Guileless Character of Saints: Hungering After Righteousness Character of Saints: Hungering for Righteousness Character of Saints: Led by the Spirit Character of Saints: Loathing Themselves Character of Saints: New Creatures Character of Saints: Poor in Spirit Character of Saints: Pure in Heart Character of Saints: Righteous Character of Saints: Steadfast Character of Saints: Taught by God Character of Saints: Taught of God Character of Saints: Undefiled Character of Saints: Zealous of Good Works Character of the Wicked: Abominable Character of the Wicked: Alienated from God Character of the Wicked: Blasphemous Character of the Wicked: Blinded Character of the Wicked: Boastful Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against God's People Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against Saints Character of the Wicked: Corrupt Character of the Wicked: Covetous Character of the Wicked: Deceitful Character of the Wicked: Delighting in the Iniquity of Others Character of the Wicked: Despising Saints Character of the Wicked: Despising the Works of the Faithful Character of the Wicked: Destructive Character of the Wicked: Disobedient Character of the Wicked: Enticing to Evil Character of the Wicked: Envious Character of the Wicked: Evildoers Character of the Wicked: Fearful Character of the Wicked: Fierce Character of the Wicked: Foolish Character of the Wicked: Forgetting God Character of the Wicked: Fraudulent Character of the Wicked: Froward Character of the Wicked: Glorying in Their Shame Character of the Wicked: Hard-Hearted Character of the Wicked: Hating the Light Character of the Wicked: Heady and High-Minded Character of the Wicked: Hostile to God Character of the Wicked: Hypocritical Character of the Wicked: Ignorant of God Character of the Wicked: Impudent Character of the Wicked: Incontinent Character of the Wicked: Infidel Character of the Wicked: Loathsome Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure More than of God Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure, not of God Character of the Wicked: Lying Character of the Wicked: Mischievous Character of the Wicked: Murderous Character of the Wicked: Persecuting Character of the Wicked: Perverse Character of the Wicked: Prayerless Character of the Wicked: Proud Character of the Wicked: Rebellious Character of the Wicked: Rejoicing in the Affliction of Saints Character of the Wicked: Reprobate Character of the Wicked: Selfish Character of the Wicked: Sensual Character of the Wicked: Sold Under Sin Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Hearted Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Necked Character of the Wicked: Uncircumcised in Heart Character of the Wicked: Unclean Character of the Wicked: Ungodly Character of the Wicked: Unholy Character of the Wicked: Unjust Character of the Wicked: Unmerciful Character of the Wicked: Unprofitable Character of the Wicked: Unruly Character of the Wicked: Unthankful Character of the Wicked: Untoward Character of the Wicked: Unwise Character: Defamation of, Punished Character: Firmness: Joseph in Resisting Potiphar's Wife Character: Instability: Israelites Character: Instability: Pharaoh Character: Instability: Reuben Character: Instability: Solomon Character: Revealed in Countenance Physiognomy: (External Aspect)): Character Revealed In Related Terms |
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