Deception by Satan
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Introduction

Deception by Satan is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the adversary's role in leading humanity away from God's truth. Satan, also known as the devil, is depicted as a cunning and deceitful being whose primary objective is to distort God's word and ensnare individuals in sin. This entry explores the various instances and methods of Satan's deception as presented in the Scriptures.

The Origin of Deception

The first instance of Satan's deception is found in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3:1-5, Satan, in the form of a serpent, deceives Eve by questioning God's command and suggesting that disobedience would lead to enlightenment: "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1). By twisting God's words, Satan sows doubt and entices Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall of humanity.

Satan as the Father of Lies

Jesus Christ identifies Satan as the "father of lies" in John 8:44 , emphasizing his nature as a deceiver. Jesus states, "He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies." This characterization underscores Satan's inherent opposition to truth and his continuous efforts to mislead.

Deception in the Wilderness

In the New Testament, Satan attempts to deceive Jesus during His time in the wilderness. In Matthew 4:1-11, Satan tempts Jesus with physical sustenance, power, and authority, using Scripture out of context to persuade Him. Jesus counters each temptation with the correct application of God's Word, demonstrating the importance of scriptural truth in resisting deception.

Deception in the Last Days

The Bible warns of increased deception by Satan in the last days. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 , Paul writes, "The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing." This passage highlights Satan's use of false signs and wonders to lead people astray, particularly those who reject the truth.

The Armor of God

Believers are instructed to guard against Satan's deception by putting on the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:11 advises, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." The armor includes truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, equipping Christians to discern and withstand Satan's deceitful tactics.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, Satan is portrayed as a master deceiver, intent on leading humanity away from God. His methods include twisting God's Word, performing false miracles, and exploiting human weaknesses. Believers are called to remain vigilant, grounded in truth, and equipped with the spiritual armor provided by God to resist his schemes.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 3:4
And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die:
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
1818. exapatao -- to seduce wholly, deceive
... hood-winked"), describing someone taken in, and enslaved by, Satan (sin, darkness).
1818 ("deceived into illusion") emphasizes the of deception -- ie missing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1818.htm - 7k
Library

The First Great Deception
... have chosen Satan as their leader and have been controlled by his power are not
prepared to enter the presence of God. Pride, deception, licentiousness, cruelty ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 33 the first great.htm

The First Great Deception.
... who have chosen Satan as their leader, and have been controlled by his power, are
not prepared to enter the presence of God. Pride, deception, licentiousness ...
/.../33 the first great deception.htm

Snares of Satan.
... For years Satan has thus been saying, "Behold, He is in the secret chambers,"(
922) and many souls have been lost by accepting this deception. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /32 snares of satan.htm

Snares of Satan
... For years Satan has thus been saying, "Behold, He is in the secret chambers" (Matthew
24:23-26); and many souls have been lost by accepting this deception. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 32 snares of satan.htm

The victory
... of God to sustain His faith, the tempter now uses it to countenance his deception. ...
As the Saviour has manifested trust in God, Satan urges Him to give still ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 13 the victory.htm

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
... 30. ENMITY BETWEEN MAN AND SATAN. 31. AGENCY OF EVIL SPIRITS. 32. SNARES OF SATAN.
33. THE FIRST GREAT DECEPTION. 34. SPIRITUALISM. 35. AIMS OF THE PAPACY. 36. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy between christ and satan /

The Time of Trouble
... As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will
personate Christ. The church has long professed to look ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm

"It is Finished"
... Another deception was now to be brought forward. Satan declared that mercy destroyed
justice, that the death of Christ abrogated the Father's law. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 79 it is finished.htm

The Comer's Conflict with Satan
... "That is right," says Satan, "agonize in ... piece to the truth, making you believe it
is an impulse of the Holy Spirit, while it is, after all, a deception of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the comers conflict with satan.htm

Who are My Brethren?
... In doing this they deliberately chose deception; they yielded themselves
to Satan, and henceforth they were controlled by his power. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 33 who are my.htm

Resources
Could an alien deception be part of the end times? | GotQuestions.org

How could Jacob not notice he married Leah instead of Rachel? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about self-examination? | GotQuestions.org

Deception: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Deception

Deception by Satan

Deception in Representing to Their Father That Joseph had been Destroyed by Wild Beasts

Deception: Abraham, in Stating That Sarah Was his Sister

Deception: Amnon Deceives Tamar by Feigning Sickness

Deception: Ananias and Sapphira

Deception: Chief Priests

Deception: David Feigns Madness

Deception: Delilah Deceives Samson

Deception: Doeg

Deception: Ehud Deceives Eglon, and Kills Him

Deception: Gehazi

Deception: Herod

Deception: Hushai Deceives Absalom

Deception: Isaac, in Stating That his Wife Was his Sister

Deception: Jacob and Rebekah, in Imposing Jacob on his Father, and Jacob's Impersonating Esau

Deception: Jacob's Sons, in Entrapping the Shechemites

Deception: Job's Friends

Deception: Joseph, in his Ruse With his Brothers

Deception: Lawyer

Deception: Pharisees

Deception: Sanballat Tries to Deceive Nehemiah

Deception: The Gibeonites, in Misrepresenting Their Habitat

Deception: The Old Prophet

Deception: when he Avenged his Sister

Deception: when he Began his Conspiracy

Self-Deception: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Abimelech (63 Occurrences)

Fraud (15 Occurrences)

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)

Deceive (48 Occurrences)

Disguise (7 Occurrences)

Cheat (5 Occurrences)

Gibeon (39 Occurrences)

Lie (291 Occurrences)

Deceptive (11 Occurrences)

Keepers (78 Occurrences)

Unleavened (51 Occurrences)

Originates (3 Occurrences)

Otherwise (78 Occurrences)

Overreach (1 Occurrence)

Jugglery

Lest (282 Occurrences)

Lying (203 Occurrences)

Guile (21 Occurrences)

Granting (4 Occurrences)

Grave (128 Occurrences)

Worse (62 Occurrences)

Imposture (1 Occurrence)

Impose (12 Occurrences)

Impostor (1 Occurrence)

Isaac (127 Occurrences)

Impure (28 Occurrences)

Imposition (3 Occurrences)

Face (780 Occurrences)

Teaches (24 Occurrences)

Third (192 Occurrences)

Trickery (5 Occurrences)

Trick (11 Occurrences)

Raised (267 Occurrences)

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)

Refused (89 Occurrences)

Risen (169 Occurrences)

Esau (89 Occurrences)

Exhortation (16 Occurrences)

Duplicity (1 Occurrence)

Delusion (12 Occurrences)

Decently (2 Occurrences)

Deceit (160 Occurrences)

Deceivableness (1 Occurrence)

Dor (7 Occurrences)

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)

Pergamum (2 Occurrences)

Pretence (5 Occurrences)

Perhaps (89 Occurrences)

Play (61 Occurrences)

Crafty (15 Occurrences)

Counterfeit (3 Occurrences)

Caught (110 Occurrences)

Artifice (1 Occurrence)

Abraham (2539 Occurrences)

Steal (29 Occurrences)

Seize (91 Occurrences)

Secure (78 Occurrences)

Sought (199 Occurrences)

Stealth (3 Occurrences)

Sly (3 Occurrences)

Exposed (39 Occurrences)

Tomb (70 Occurrences)

Perdition (14 Occurrences)

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Command (442 Occurrences)

Servants (763 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Malice (24 Occurrences)

Welcome (31 Occurrences)

Teachers (87 Occurrences)

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Error (90 Occurrences)

Concealed (36 Occurrences)

Spring (122 Occurrences)

Molech (16 Occurrences)

Magus

Kill (310 Occurrences)

Lost (85 Occurrences)

Deception by Evil Spirits
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