Topical Encyclopedia Deceit, defined as the act of concealing or misrepresenting the truth, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often depicted as contrary to the nature and will of God. The use of deceit among individuals is consistently portrayed as destructive and contrary to the principles of righteousness and integrity that God desires for His people.Old Testament Instances The Old Testament provides numerous examples of deceit used among individuals, often leading to significant consequences. One of the earliest instances is found in the account of Jacob and Esau. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing intended for Esau (Genesis 27:1-29). This act of deceit results in familial strife and separation, illustrating the destructive nature of deceit. Another notable example is found in the account of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph's brothers deceive their father Jacob by presenting Joseph's coat, stained with goat's blood, to make him believe that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal (Genesis 37:31-33). This deceit leads to years of grief for Jacob and a long period of separation between Joseph and his family. The Psalms and Proverbs frequently address the issue of deceit, warning against its use and highlighting its consequences. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse underscores the moral repugnance of deceit in the eyes of God and the value He places on truthfulness. New Testament Teachings In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles further emphasize the importance of honesty and the dangers of deceit. Jesus Himself warns against deceitful behavior, particularly in the context of religious hypocrisy. In Matthew 23:27-28, He condemns the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." The apostle Paul also addresses deceit in his epistles, urging believers to live lives marked by truth and integrity. In Ephesians 4:25, Paul writes, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." This exhortation highlights the communal aspect of truthfulness, emphasizing that deceit undermines the unity and trust within the body of Christ. Consequences and Warnings The Bible consistently warns of the consequences of deceit, both in this life and in the judgment to come. In Revelation 21:8, deceit is listed among the sins that lead to eternal separation from God: "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." The biblical narrative and teachings make it clear that deceit is not only a sin against others but ultimately a sin against God, who is the embodiment of truth. The call to reject deceit and embrace truth is a call to align oneself with the character of God and to foster relationships built on trust and integrity. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 9:5And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Nave's Topical Index Library The Arians, Inasmuch as they Assert the Son to be "Of Another ... Upon the Government of the Tongue. How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out ... He Proceeds to Show that There is no "Variance" in the Essence of ... The Kingdom of Heaven Ephesians iv. 25-27 But we Need no Longer Show in this Narrow Way the Drawback of this ... St. Justin Martyr (Ad 166) On Daniel. vi. On Susannah. The So-Called Letter to Diognetus Resources Who was Nathanael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does God allow deception? | GotQuestions.org What are elemental spirits? | GotQuestions.org Deceit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Deceit: A Characteristic of Antichrist Deceit: A Characteristic of the Apostasy Deceit: Blessedness of Being Free From Deceit: Characteristic of the Apostasy Deceit: Characteristic of the Heart Deceit: Christ Was Perfectly Free From Deceit: Evil of Hinders Knowledge of God Deceit: Evil of Keeps from Knowledge of God Deceit: Evil of Keeps from Turning to God Deceit: Evil of Leads to Lying Deceit: Evil of Leads to Pride and Oppression Deceit: False Teachers are Workers of Deceit: False Teachers: Impose on Others By Deceit: False Teachers: Preach Deceit: False Teachers: Sport Themselves With Deceit: Hatred often Concealed By Deceit: Keeps from Turning to God Deceit: Leads: To Pride and Oppression Deceit: Ministers should Lay Aside Deceit: Often Accompanied by Fraud and Injustice Deceit: Saints: Delivered from Those Who Use Deceit: Saints: Pray for Deliverance from Those Who Use Deceit: Saints: Purpose Against Deceit: Saints: Purposed Against Deceit: Saints: should Beware of Those Who Teach Deceit: Saints: should Lay Aside, in Seeking Truth Deceit: Saints: Shun Those Addicted To Deceit: The Kisses of an Enemy Are Deceit: The Tongue is an Instrument of Deceit: The Tongue, the Instrument of Deceit: The Wicked are Full of Deceit: The Wicked: Delight In Deceit: The Wicked: Increase In Deceit: The Wicked: Use, to Each Other Deceit: The Wicked: Use, to Themselves Related Terms |
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