Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Nature: Deceitfulness is characterized by the act of misleading or deceiving others through falsehoods, trickery, or concealment of the truth. In the biblical context, deceit is often associated with sin and moral corruption, standing in opposition to the truth and righteousness that God desires from His people. Biblical References and Examples: The Bible frequently addresses the issue of deceit, warning against its destructive nature and the consequences it brings. In the Old Testament, deceit is often linked with wickedness and is condemned by God. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights the contrast between deceit and faithfulness, emphasizing God's preference for honesty. The account of Jacob and Esau provides a notable example of deceit. Jacob, whose name itself means "supplanter" or "deceiver," used deceit to obtain his brother Esau's birthright and blessing (Genesis 27). This act of deception led to significant familial strife and serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term consequences of deceitful actions. In the New Testament, deceit is similarly condemned. Jesus Himself warns against deceit in Mark 7:21-22, where He lists deceit among the evils that come from within a person and defile them. The Apostle Paul also addresses deceit in his epistles, urging believers to put away falsehood and speak truthfully to one another (Ephesians 4:25). Spiritual Implications: Deceit is not merely a social or ethical issue but a spiritual one. It is seen as a tool of Satan, the father of lies, who seeks to lead people away from the truth of God. In John 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as "a liar and the father of lies," indicating that deceit is fundamentally opposed to the nature of God, who is truth. The Bible calls believers to a life of integrity and truthfulness, reflecting the character of God. Psalm 24:3-4 asks, "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully." This passage underscores the importance of purity and honesty in one's relationship with God. Consequences of Deceit: The consequences of deceit are both temporal and eternal. In the temporal realm, deceit can lead to broken relationships, loss of trust, and societal discord. Proverbs 19:5 warns, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape." This reflects the biblical principle that deceit ultimately leads to judgment and accountability. Eternally, deceit can separate individuals from God. Revelation 21:8 lists deceit among the sins that lead to the second death, indicating the severe spiritual ramifications of living a deceitful life. The call to repentance and faith in Christ offers redemption and transformation, enabling believers to turn from deceit and embrace the truth. Practical Application: Believers are encouraged to cultivate a life of honesty and transparency, aligning their words and actions with the truth of Scripture. This involves a commitment to integrity in all areas of life, including personal relationships, business dealings, and spiritual practices. By doing so, Christians bear witness to the truth of the Gospel and reflect the character of Christ to the world. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (a.) Fraudulent; cheating; insincere; serving to mislead or ensnare; trickish.Greek 1386. dolios -- deceitful ... deceitful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dolios Phonetic Spelling: (dol'-ee-os) Short Definition: treacherous, deceitful Definition: treacherous ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1386.htm - 6k 5571. pseudes -- lying, false 1351. dilogos -- given to repetition, double-tongued 4108. planos -- wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver ... 539. apate -- deceit 4106. plane -- a wandering Strong's Hebrew 6121a. aqob -- insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints... 6121, 6121a. aqob. 6121b . insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints. Transliteration: aqob Short Definition: deceitful. Word ... /hebrew/6121a.htm - 5k 8501. takak -- deceitful 6121. aqob -- insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints 5230. nakal -- to be crafty, deceitful or knavish 6280. athar -- to be abundant 6143. iqqeshuth -- crookedness 3577. kazab -- a lie, falsehood, deceptive thing 4820. mirmah -- deceit, treachery 8267. sheqer -- deception, disappointment, falsehood 7423a. remiyyah -- deceit, treachery Library The Bloody and Deceitful Man Of a Deceitful Peace. Earthly Prospects Deceitful. How Deceitful the Love of this World Is, and How Amiable God Is. And at First, Indeed, that Deceitful and Lawless One... That the Deceitful Demons, While Promising to Conduct Men to God ... The Deceitful Arts and Nefarious Practices of Marcus. The Opinion which the Mind Has of Itself is Deceitful. Psalm CXX. Psalm CIX. Thesaurus Deceitful (46 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Deceitful (46 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles. ... /d/deceitful.htm - 18k Deceptive (11 Occurrences) Dainties (14 Occurrences) Deceit (160 Occurrences) Deceitfully (22 Occurrences) Unreliable (2 Occurrences) Incurable (13 Occurrences) Dainty (7 Occurrences) Meats (9 Occurrences) Bloodthirsty (6 Occurrences) Resources How can I know if the desires of my heart are from God? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say to follow your heart? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about motives? | GotQuestions.org Deceitful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Deceitful (46 Occurrences)2 Corinthians 11:13 Ephesians 4:14 Ephesians 4:22 1 Timothy 4:1 Titus 1:10 Hebrews 3:13 1 Peter 2:22 1 Peter 3:10 Revelation 21:27 Job 11:11 Job 13:7 Psalms 5:6 Psalms 17:1 Psalms 26:4 Psalms 35:20 Psalms 36:3 Psalms 43:1 Psalms 52:4 Psalms 55:23 Psalms 78:57 Psalms 109:2 Psalms 120:2 Psalms 120:3 Psalms 144:8 Psalms 144:11 Proverbs 4:24 Proverbs 11:18 Proverbs 12:5 Proverbs 14:25 Proverbs 15:4 Proverbs 17:20 Proverbs 23:3 Proverbs 27:6 Proverbs 29:13 Proverbs 31:30 Isaiah 30:9 Jeremiah 10:14 Jeremiah 15:18 Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 51:17 Hosea 7:16 Hosea 10:2 Micah 1:14 Micah 6:11 Micah 6:12 Zephaniah 3:13 Subtopics Related Terms |