Topical Encyclopedia Deceit, a deliberate act of misleading or deceiving others, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often linked with fraud and injustice. The Scriptures consistently condemn deceit, highlighting its destructive nature and its opposition to God's truth and righteousness.Old Testament Insights In the Old Testament, deceit is frequently associated with wickedness and is seen as an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists deceit among the seven things the Lord hates: "a lying tongue" and "a false witness who pours out lies" . The psalmist also laments the prevalence of deceit, as seen in Psalm 5:6, "You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man" . The account of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 27 illustrates deceit's familial and personal consequences. Jacob, with his mother Rebekah's help, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. This act of deceit leads to family strife and long-term separation. Similarly, in the account of Joseph and his brothers, deceit is used to cover up their betrayal, as they sell Joseph into slavery and deceive their father Jacob into believing he is dead (Genesis 37). Prophetic Condemnation The prophets frequently denounce deceit as a societal ill that leads to injustice. Jeremiah 9:5-6 describes a society steeped in deceit: "Each one deceives his neighbor; no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning. You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me," declares the LORD . This passage underscores the link between deceit and a rejection of God. Micah 6:11-12 further connects deceit with economic injustice: "Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales and with a bag of false weights? For the rich men of the city are full of violence, her residents speak lies, and their tongues are deceitful in their mouths" . Here, deceit is not only a personal sin but a societal one that corrupts commerce and justice. New Testament Teachings In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles continue to warn against deceit. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, which is a form of deceit, in Matthew 23:27-28: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" . The apostle Paul admonishes believers to put away deceit as part of their new life in Christ. In Ephesians 4:25, he writes, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body" . Similarly, in Colossians 3:9, Paul instructs, "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices" . Spiritual Implications Deceit is fundamentally opposed to the character of God, who is described as a God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4). The Bible warns that those who practice deceit will not inherit the kingdom of God. Revelation 21:8 lists deceit among the sins that lead to the second death: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" . The call for Christians is to live in truth and integrity, reflecting the nature of Christ, who is "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6). Deceit, often accompanied by fraud and injustice, is a grave sin that disrupts relationships, corrupts societies, and separates individuals from God. The biblical mandate is clear: to reject deceit and embrace truth, justice, and righteousness in all aspects of life. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 10:7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 43:1 Library The Same Necessary and Eternal Different Relations Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance. Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C. Directions to Church-Wardens, &C. Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of ... Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ... Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. Resources What is lasciviousness? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I learn to distinguish right from wrong? | GotQuestions.org What is guile in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Deceit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Deceit: A Characteristic of Antichrist Deceit: A Characteristic of the Apostasy Deceit: Blessedness of Being Free From Deceit: Characteristic of the Apostasy Deceit: Characteristic of the Heart Deceit: Christ Was Perfectly Free From Deceit: Evil of Hinders Knowledge of God Deceit: Evil of Keeps from Knowledge of God Deceit: Evil of Keeps from Turning to God Deceit: Evil of Leads to Lying Deceit: Evil of Leads to Pride and Oppression Deceit: False Teachers are Workers of Deceit: False Teachers: Impose on Others By Deceit: False Teachers: Preach Deceit: False Teachers: Sport Themselves With Deceit: Hatred often Concealed By Deceit: Keeps from Turning to God Deceit: Leads: To Pride and Oppression Deceit: Ministers should Lay Aside Deceit: Often Accompanied by Fraud and Injustice Deceit: Saints: Delivered from Those Who Use Deceit: Saints: Pray for Deliverance from Those Who Use Deceit: Saints: Purpose Against Deceit: Saints: Purposed Against Deceit: Saints: should Beware of Those Who Teach Deceit: Saints: should Lay Aside, in Seeking Truth Deceit: Saints: Shun Those Addicted To Deceit: The Kisses of an Enemy Are Deceit: The Tongue is an Instrument of Deceit: The Tongue, the Instrument of Deceit: The Wicked are Full of Deceit: The Wicked: Delight In Deceit: The Wicked: Increase In Deceit: The Wicked: Use, to Each Other Deceit: The Wicked: Use, to Themselves Related Terms |
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