Topical Bible: Deceit: Saints: Shun Those Addicted To

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Deceit, a deliberate act of misleading or deceiving others, is consistently condemned throughout the Scriptures. It is an act that stands in stark contrast to the truth and righteousness that God desires from His people. The Bible provides numerous warnings against deceit and instructs the faithful to distance themselves from those who practice it.

Biblical Warnings Against Deceit

The Bible frequently warns against deceit, emphasizing its destructive nature. In Proverbs 12:22, it is written, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights the Lord's disdain for deceit and His pleasure in truthfulness. Similarly, Psalm 101:7 states, "No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who tells lies shall stand in my presence." This underscores the incompatibility of deceit with the presence of God.

The Call to Shun Deceitful Individuals

The New Testament further instructs believers to avoid those who are addicted to deceit. In Romans 16:17-18, the Apostle Paul advises, "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the naive." Here, Paul warns against those who use deceit to lead others astray and encourages believers to distance themselves from such individuals.

In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul again cautions, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This serves as a reminder that association with deceitful individuals can have a corrupting influence on one's moral and spiritual integrity.

The Example of Jesus and the Apostles

Jesus Himself exemplified the rejection of deceit. In John 1:47, when Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit." Jesus commended Nathanael for his honesty and integrity, setting a standard for His followers to emulate.

The Apostles also modeled this behavior. In 1 Peter 2:1, Peter instructs, "Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander." This call to purity and sincerity is echoed throughout the New Testament, urging believers to live lives free from deceit.

The Spiritual Consequences of Deceit

Deceit not only harms relationships and communities but also has severe spiritual consequences. Revelation 21:8 warns, "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." This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of deceit and falsehood.

Practical Application for Believers

For those striving to live a life pleasing to God, it is essential to cultivate honesty and integrity. Ephesians 4:25 instructs, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." By embracing truth and rejecting deceit, believers can maintain unity and reflect the character of Christ in their lives.

In summary, the Bible clearly instructs the saints to shun deceit and those who practice it. By adhering to these teachings, believers can protect their spiritual well-being and uphold the truth that is central to their faith.

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Psalm 101:7
He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight.
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A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... One also, among the saints, that is not clean, is ... To depart from iniquity is to shun
those examples, those ... to pride"to covetousness"to deceit"to hypocrisy ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... Martin was one of the most popular saints of Gaul ... philosophers, which were full of
fallacies and deceit, "after the ... shows us what evil we should shun, and what ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... the world, but also the entertainment they find at the hands of those ungodly ones ...
ungodly world do not desire to entertain and receive the poor saints of God ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... all the saints, who now believe on him through the word of preaching are subject
to him willingly, and that these are called Fore-hopers, that is those who ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /