Topical Bible: Deceit: Preach

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Definition and Nature of Deceit:

Deceit, in biblical terms, refers to the act of misleading or deceiving others through falsehoods, trickery, or dishonest practices. It is a sin that is condemned throughout Scripture, as it stands in direct opposition to the truth and righteousness that God desires from His people. Deceit is often associated with the devil, who is described as "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).

Biblical References and Teachings:

1. Old Testament Insights:
· The Old Testament frequently warns against deceit. In the Ten Commandments, God commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), highlighting the importance of truthfulness.
· Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight" . This verse underscores God's disdain for deceit and His pleasure in honesty.

2. New Testament Teachings:
· Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, emphasized the importance of truth. In Matthew 5:37, He instructs, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one" . This teaching calls for straightforwardness and integrity in communication.
· The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, warns against deceitful practices. In Ephesians 4:25, he writes, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another" . Paul encourages believers to live in truth as part of the body of Christ.

3. Deceit in the Church:
· The early church faced challenges with deceit, as seen in the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. Their deceit in withholding part of the proceeds from the sale of their property led to severe consequences, demonstrating the seriousness of deceit within the Christian community.
· Paul warns Timothy about false teachers who "are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth" (1 Timothy 6:5). He advises Timothy to guard against such deceitful influences and to uphold sound doctrine.

Consequences of Deceit:

The Bible makes it clear that deceit leads to destructive outcomes. Proverbs 19:5 warns, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape" . Deceit not only harms relationships and communities but also separates individuals from God, who is the ultimate source of truth.

Call to Righteousness:

Believers are called to reject deceit and embrace truthfulness as a reflection of their new identity in Christ. Colossians 3:9-10 exhorts, "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" . This transformation involves a commitment to living in truth and integrity, aligning one's life with the character of God.

Conclusion:

While deceit is a pervasive issue in the fallen world, Scripture provides clear guidance for believers to live in truth and righteousness. By adhering to biblical teachings and relying on the Holy Spirit, Christians can overcome deceit and reflect the truth of the Gospel in their lives.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 14:14
Then the LORD said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke to them: they prophesy to you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their heart.
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Jeremiah 23:26
How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yes, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
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Library

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... nothing wanting to the full measure: and he well says, of all "deceit," for the ... was
already sown, he passes on: but where there was none (to preach), he makes ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

The British Advance, 1801-1856.
... delighted people exclaimed: "Oh, that this young man might always preach to us ... lying,
for slandering, for evil-speaking, for fraud, for deceit, for drunkenness ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter v the british advance.htm

Abstain from the Poison of Heretics.
... 762] of the Gospel; while they intermix the poison of their deceit with their ... with
evil." [764] For they speak of Christ, not that they may preach Christ, but ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the trallians/chapter vi abstain from the poison.htm

In Order to Forearm the Orthodox against the Stratagems of the ...
... must we be on our guard against them, when they pretend to preach that they do ... for
them, and so, pursuing after faith, have caught the hook of ungodly deceit. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvi in order to.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... But, whatever it may preach, if it does not preach that, it is to be questioned ... not
to know, as there is a philosophy that is nothing but vain deceit, and not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/barriers broken down.htm

By the Sacrifices of the Old Testament, Men were Convinced of Sins ...
... burial, and the rich for His death; because He did no iniquity, nor deceit with
His ... of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me: to preach glad tidings ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 54 by the sacrifices of.htm

The Great Proclamation
... But my business now is to preach. ... 'Bread of deceit,' says the Book, 'is sweet to
a man.' The writer meant by that that there were people to whom it was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the great proclamation.htm

Application of these Motives
... as painful as we could, and to exercise what discipline we would, that then we would
do nothing but publicly preach? ... What a depth of deceit is the heart of man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 4.htm

Eunomius Again Speaks of the Son as Lord and God
... with a slight variation, utter to those who listen to his deceit the word of ... view,
there is something more persuasive than the Gospel which we preach, and some ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 5 eunomius again speaks.htm

The Ministry.
... he what he will, "spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the ... Aristotle,
Plato, and the rest of the heathenish philosophers, and preach little if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxii the ministry.htm