Topical Bible: Deceit: Devise

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, deceit refers to the act of misleading or tricking someone through falsehoods or cunning strategies. The term "devise" often accompanies deceit, indicating the intentional planning or scheming to achieve a deceptive end. The Bible frequently addresses deceit and the devising of wicked plans, highlighting the moral and spiritual dangers associated with such behavior.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides numerous examples and warnings against deceit and the devising of evil. In the book of Psalms, deceit is often associated with the wicked. Psalm 36:3 states, "The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing." This verse underscores the connection between deceit and a departure from wisdom and righteousness.

Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, frequently contrasts the righteous with the deceitful. Proverbs 12:20 notes, "Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy." Here, deceit is directly linked to the intentional planning of evil, contrasting with the joy found in promoting peace.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks against deceit, particularly in the context of false prophets and leaders who mislead the people. Jeremiah 9:8 laments, "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With his mouth, one speaks peace to his neighbor, but inwardly he sets an ambush." This imagery highlights the danger of deceitful words that mask harmful intentions.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, deceit continues to be a significant concern, especially in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself warns against deceit in various forms, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and integrity. In Mark 7:21-22 , Jesus lists deceit among the evils that come from within a person, defiling them: "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness."

The apostle Paul also addresses deceit in his epistles, urging believers to live in truth and sincerity. In Romans 1:29 , Paul describes those who have turned away from God, stating, "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice." This passage highlights deceit as a characteristic of those who reject God's truth.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays deceit as contrary to the character of God, who is described as a God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4). Deceit undermines trust and relationships, leading to discord and destruction. The devising of deceitful plans is seen as a manifestation of a heart turned away from God, often resulting in judgment and consequences.

Believers are called to reject deceit and embrace truthfulness, reflecting the nature of Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The call to live in truth is not merely a moral directive but a spiritual imperative, aligning one's life with the truth of the Gospel and the character of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 35:20
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
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Psalm 38:12
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
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Proverbs 12:5
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
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Library

Whether Guile is a Sin Pertaining to Craftiness?
... with his servants." Guile is also in the heart, according to Ecclus.19:23, "His
interior is full of deceit," but this is to devise deceits, according to Ps.37 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether guile is a sin.htm

Psalm x.
... destroy him, who dared promise himself such things with bitterness and deceit, that
is ... under his tongue," not on his tongue, because he will devise these things ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm x.htm

The Exile Continued.
... He pours out broken words of hot and righteous indignation: "Destructions doth thy
tongue devise, Like a razor whetted"O thou worker of deceit.". * * *. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book I.
... communicated it to us, and we should have been at no loss to devise some plan ... the
wrongs which I have sustained at your hands, nor for the deceit or treachery ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book.htm

Our Hope is the Personal Return of Our Redeemer.
... expected that philosophy would find a solution to every problem and devise a remedy ...
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 our hope is the.htm

Matt. vi. 16
... by its bringing an extreme penalty, but also by showing that such deceit is but ... This,
for instance, is why men devise those herds of slaves, and that swarm of ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xx matt vi 16.htm

The Testament of Benjamin Concerning a Pure Mind.
... he showeth mercy to all men, even though they be sinners, even though they devise
evil concerning ... mind of the good man is not in the power of the deceit of the ...
/.../xii the testament of benjamin concerning.htm

To what an Extent the Christian Truth Has Been Assailed by Rash ...
... Paul and Peter, and the other disciples, as disseminators of deceit, whom at ... he took
it ill that some Aristophanes or Aristarchus did not devise that subject. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ii to what an extent.htm

But we Need no Longer Show in this Narrow Way the Drawback of this ...
... a life, makes virtue, which has no limit that man can devise, his only ... as of the
night which envelops mankind, and prevents them seeing this deceit and knowing ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter iv but we need.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... wicked man: "Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. ... of him
without unavoidably manifest cause; how much more not to devise any falsehood ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm