How can Proverbs 20:17 guide us in resisting the temptation of deceit? Opening the Text “Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.” — Proverbs 20:17 What the Proverb Says • “Food gained by fraud” pictures any advantage won through lying, cheating, or manipulation. • “Sweet to a man” captures the initial thrill: deceit can feel clever, profitable, even harmless. • “Afterward his mouth is full of gravel” paints the inevitable result—pain, regret, damage to one’s soul, and often public exposure. Why Deceit Seems Attractive • It promises rapid results without effort. • It offers control when faith feels risky. • It flatters the flesh with the idea that consequences can be dodged. The Hidden Cost of Deceit • Physical or material loss: fraud often collapses and demands restitution (Proverbs 10:2). • Relational fallout: trust, once broken, is painfully slow to rebuild (Proverbs 25:19). • Spiritual erosion: deceit sears the conscience (1 Timothy 4:2) and hinders fellowship with God (Psalm 24:3-4). • Divine judgment: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap” (Galatians 6:7-8). Practical Steps for Resisting Deception • Ground yourself daily in truth-filled Scripture (John 17:17). • Cultivate the fear of the LORD; reverence outweighs short-term gain (Proverbs 14:26-27). • Practice immediate, transparent honesty—small lies pave the road to bigger ones (Ephesians 4:25). • Seek accountability: invite a trusted believer to watch for compromise (Hebrews 3:13). • Choose contentment over covetousness; greed fuels deceit (1 Timothy 6:6-10). • Recall eternity: the pleasures of sin are brief, but integrity stores eternal treasure (Matthew 6:19-21). Reinforcement from the Rest of Scripture • Proverbs 12:19 — “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” • Proverbs 28:6 — “Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.” • Luke 16:10 — “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” • Psalm 34:12-13 — “Whoever loves life… keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.” Living It Out • Before signing a contract, filing taxes, or reporting hours, pause and recite Proverbs 20:17 to remind yourself that hidden gravel awaits hidden sin. • When tempted to exaggerate online, remember that digital deceit still soils the heart. • Replace every deceptive impulse with a concrete act of truth—correct the record, confess the wrong, set things right. • Celebrate integrity’s immediate fruit: clear conscience, sturdy relationships, and the smile of God’s approval (Proverbs 11:3). Resisting deceit is not merely avoiding a sin; it is choosing the enduring sweetness of righteousness over the fleeting sugar of fraud. |
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