Jump to: Topical • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Nature Deception, in biblical terms, refers to the act of misleading or causing someone to believe something that is not true. It is often associated with falsehood, trickery, and deceit. The Bible consistently portrays deception as contrary to the nature of God, who is characterized by truth and faithfulness. Biblical Instances of Deception Deception appears early in the biblical narrative, beginning with the serpent's deceit of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:1-5 describes how the serpent cunningly questions God's command and promises Eve that she will not die if she eats the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall of humanity. This foundational act of deception sets the stage for the ongoing struggle between truth and falsehood throughout Scripture. Another notable instance is Jacob's deception of his father Isaac to receive the blessing intended for Esau. In Genesis 27:18-29 , Jacob disguises himself and lies to his blind father, illustrating the familial and personal consequences of deceit. In the New Testament, Ananias and Sapphira's deception in Acts 5:1-11 serves as a stark warning about the seriousness of lying to the Holy Spirit. Their attempt to deceive the apostles about the proceeds from the sale of their property results in their sudden deaths, underscoring the gravity of deceit within the early Christian community. Theological Implications Deception is fundamentally opposed to the character of God, who is described as a God of truth. Numbers 23:19 states, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind." This divine attribute is further emphasized in John 14:6 , where Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life." Satan, in contrast, is identified as the father of lies. In John 8:44 , Jesus describes the devil as "a liar and the father of lies," highlighting the spiritual battle between truth and deception. This dichotomy is central to understanding the moral and spiritual dimensions of deceit in the biblical worldview. Moral and Ethical Teachings The Bible consistently warns against deception and encourages believers to live in truth. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse reflects the ethical call for honesty and integrity in the lives of God's people. Ephesians 4:25 exhorts believers, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." This instruction underscores the importance of truthfulness within the Christian community, promoting unity and trust. Consequences of Deception The Bible illustrates that deception often leads to destructive consequences. The account of Jacob and Esau reveals how deceit can fracture relationships and lead to long-term familial strife. Similarly, the account of Ananias and Sapphira demonstrates the severe repercussions of lying to God and the community. In a broader sense, deception is seen as a tool of the enemy to lead people away from God. 2 Corinthians 11:14 warns, "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." This passage highlights the insidious nature of deception and the need for discernment among believers. Conclusion While the Bible acknowledges the reality of deception in a fallen world, it calls believers to a higher standard of truthfulness and integrity. By aligning with God's truth, Christians are equipped to resist the deceitful schemes of the enemy and to live lives that reflect the character of Christ. Topical Bible Verses Proverbs 24:28Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause; and deceive not with your lips. Topicalbible.org 1 John 4:1 1 John 5:19 Psalm 52:2 1 Kings 13:18 Job 6:15 Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of deceiving or misleading.2. (n.) The state of being deceived or misled. 3. (n.) That which deceives or is intended to deceive; false representation; artifice; cheat; fraud. Greek 539. apate -- deceit ... deceit. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apate Phonetic Spelling: (ap-at'-ay) Short Definition: deceit, deception Definition: deceit, deception ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/539.htm - 6k 538. apatao -- to deceive 4106. plane -- a wandering 1818. exapatao -- to seduce wholly, deceive Strong's Hebrew 8267. sheqer -- deception, disappointment, falsehood... 8266, 8267. sheqer. 8268 . deception, disappointment, falsehood. Transliteration: sheqer Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-ker) Short Definition: falsehood. ... /hebrew/8267.htm - 6k 8649b. tarmith -- deceitfulness 391. akzab -- deceptive, disappointing 3584. kachash -- to disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean 3577. kazab -- a lie, falsehood, deceptive thing 4820. mirmah -- deceit, treachery 7723. shav -- emptiness, vanity Library The First Great Deception. The Theory of Enthusiasm or Self-Deception. Of the Fall and Deception of a Monk of Mesopotamia. A Case of Diabolic Deception. The First Great Deception Vain Confidence and Self-Deception. Simon Magus: his Deception. Describes an Effect which Proves the Prayer Spoken of in the Last ... The Christians Defamed a Sarcastic Description of Fame; Its ... Christ and his Apostles, Without any Fraud, Deception, or ... Thesaurus Deception (24 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Deception (24 Occurrences). ... He who aims at the glory of Him who sent him teaches the truth, and there is no deception in him. (WEY). ... /d/deception.htm - 13k 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) Resources What is the great deception in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-deception? | GotQuestions.org Why does God allow deception? | GotQuestions.org Deception: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Deception (24 Occurrences)Matthew 27:64 Mark 14:1 John 7:18 2 Corinthians 4:2 2 Corinthians 12:16 Colossians 2:8 1 Thessalonians 2:3 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Job 15:35 Psalms 4:2 Psalms 12:2 Psalms 38:12 Proverbs 14:8 Proverbs 26:26 Proverbs 30:8 Jeremiah 3:10 Jeremiah 3:23 Jeremiah 9:6 Jeremiah 14:14 Jeremiah 23:26 Daniel 11:23 Hosea 4:2 Hosea 10:13 Micah 1:14 Subtopics 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: David Feigns Madness Deception: Delilah Deceives Samson Deception: Ehud Deceives Eglon, and Kills Him 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: Joseph, in his Ruse With his Brothers Deception: Sanballat Tries to Deceive Nehemiah Deception: The Gibeonites, in Misrepresenting Their Habitat Deception: when he Avenged his Sister Deception: when he Began his Conspiracy Self-Deception: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |
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