Topical Bible: Servants: Characteristics of Wicked Servants: Deceit

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In the biblical context, servants are often depicted as individuals entrusted with responsibilities by their masters. However, not all servants fulfill their duties with integrity and faithfulness. The characteristic of deceit is a prominent trait of wicked servants, as illustrated in various passages of Scripture.

Deceit in the Heart of the Wicked

Deceit is fundamentally a matter of the heart, reflecting a departure from truth and righteousness. Proverbs 26:24-26 warns of the duplicity found in deceitful individuals: "A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly." This passage highlights the internal nature of deceit, where wicked servants may outwardly appear loyal or sincere, yet harbor malicious intentions.

The Parable of the Wicked Servant

One of the most illustrative examples of deceitful servants is found in the Parable of the Wicked Servant in Matthew 24:48-51 . Here, Jesus describes a servant who, upon believing his master is delayed, begins to act treacherously: "But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This parable underscores the deceitful nature of the servant who abuses his position, betraying the trust of his master and fellow servants.

Deceit as a Betrayal of Trust

Deceit in servants is particularly egregious because it represents a betrayal of the trust placed in them by their masters. In the account of Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, we see a vivid example of deceit leading to dire consequences. Gehazi, driven by greed, deceives Naaman to obtain gifts under false pretenses, as recorded in 2 Kings 5:20-27 . Gehazi's deceit is exposed by Elisha, resulting in Gehazi being struck with leprosy. This narrative illustrates how deceit not only damages relationships but also brings about divine judgment.

The Call to Faithfulness

In contrast to deceit, Scripture calls for servants to be faithful and trustworthy. Colossians 3:22 exhorts servants: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord." This call to sincerity and fear of the Lord stands in stark opposition to the deceitful nature of wicked servants, emphasizing the importance of integrity in service.

The Consequences of Deceit

The Bible consistently portrays deceit as a destructive force that ultimately leads to downfall. Proverbs 19:9 states, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will perish." This principle applies to servants who engage in deceit, as their actions not only harm others but also bring about their own ruin. The biblical narrative affirms that deceit, while it may offer temporary gain, ultimately results in exposure and judgment.

In summary, deceit is a defining characteristic of wicked servants in the biblical narrative. It represents a profound breach of trust and a departure from the righteous path. The Scriptures call for servants to embody faithfulness and integrity, warning of the inevitable consequences that deceit brings.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 19:26
And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for your servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because your servant is lame.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 101:6,7
My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Objections Continued...
... imposes necessity on Him, O men most wicked, who draw ... it not irreligious then to
impute the characteristics of things ... so, how is He Lord and they servants [3248 ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter xxx objections continued.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... Many of God's servants have written at length ... brother Abel, Cain foreshadowed the
wicked martyrdom of ... the territory and perpetuates the characteristics of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

The Seventh Book
... Indeed, aside from a very few servants of God, what ... fault was still more serious
and wicked than this ... to seem to have any feminine characteristics, [404] [405 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

The Gospel of Luke
... Jews; Mark is peculiarly suited to God's servants; Luke is ... so shall it be also unto
this wicked generation" (or ... it is here also that the characteristics of our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of luke.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... he called his chamber-servants, others slaves, and others servants in various ... earth
and disturb the elements, but that sometimes a wicked spirit, foreseeing ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... the hosts of her men-servants and maid-servants; that every ... which were full of fallacies
and deceit, "after the ... Son, but didst deliver Him up for us wicked ones ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... very men who are the subject of this treatise; dogmatizers of deceit who seek ... these
are related and have analogy to such names as denote human characteristics. ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... doubt greatly blessed, because they were the servants, as I ... the deceitfulness and
treachery of my own wicked heart. ... would dwell with him in the town of Deceit. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... The six Amesha-spentas, with their several characteristics, are enumerated ... the estimable
Fravashis;** Apaosha, the enemy of Tishtrya the wicked black horse ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

part ii
... in vain for them to finish, then should not we, God's servants, labour for ... of their
good and well-principled children, forgive their wicked, capricious, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm