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
...5571. pseudes -- lying, false
... lying, false. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: pseudes Phonetic Spelling:
(psyoo-dace') Short Definition: false,deceitful, lying Definition: false...
1351. dilogos -- given to repetition, double-tongued
... double-tongued. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dilogos Phonetic Spelling:
(dil'-og-os) Short Definition: double-tongued,deceitful Definition: double...
4108. planos -- wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver...
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver
(subst.) NASB Word Usagedeceitful (1), deceiver (2), deceivers (2)....
539. apate -- deceit
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition deceit NASB Word Usage deceit (1),
deceitfulness (3), deception (2), deceptions (1).deceitful, deceiving....
4106. plane -- a wandering
... See 4105 (). Word Origin fem. of planos Definition a wandering NASB Word Usage
deceitful (1), deception (1), deluding (1), error (7). delusion, error....
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
...8501. takak --deceitful
... takak. 8502 .deceitful. Transliteration: takak Phonetic Spelling: (taw-kawk')
Short Definition:deceitful. Word Origin the same as tok, qv.deceitful...
6121. aqob -- insidious,deceitful, tracked by footprints
... insidious,deceitful, tracked by footprints. Transliteration: aqob Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-kobe') Short Definition: crooked. crooked,deceitful, polluted...
5230. nakal -- to be crafty,deceitful or knavish
... nakal. 5231 . to be crafty,deceitful or knavish. Transliteration: nakal Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-kal') Short Definition: craftily. Word Origin a prim....
6280. athar -- to be abundant
... athar. 6281 . to be abundant. Transliteration: athar Phonetic Spelling: (aw-thar')
Short Definition:deceitful. Word Origin a prim....deceitful, multiply....
6143. iqqeshuth -- crookedness
... 6142, 6143. iqqeshuth. 6144 . crookedness. Transliteration: iqqeshuth Phonetic
Spelling: (ik-kesh-ooth') Short Definition:deceitful....
3577. kazab -- a lie, falsehood, deceptive thing
...deceitful, false, leasing, liar, lie, lying. From kazab; falsehood; literally (untruth)
or figuratively (idol) --deceitful, false, leasing, + liar, lie, lying....
4820. mirmah -- deceit, treachery
... Word Origin from ramah Definition deceit, treachery NASB Word Usage deceit (21),
deceitful (6), deceitfully (2), deception (2), deceptive (1), dishonest (1...
8267. sheqer -- deception, disappointment, falsehood
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition deception, disappointment, falsehood
NASB Word Usage deceit (2),deceitful (3), deceiving (4), deception (3...
7423a. remiyyah -- deceit, treachery
... Word Origin from ramah Definition deceit, treachery NASB Word Usage deceit (4),
deceitful (4), treacherous (1), what isdeceitful (1). 7423, 7423a....
Library
The Bloody andDeceitful Man
... Names And Titles of the Antichrist 5. The Bloody andDeceitful Man.... The Bloody
andDeceitful Man views the Antichrist in relation to the Jews....
Of aDeceitful Peace.
... LXVI."Of aDeceitful Peace. The arranged time comes to our people; there
is peace in the world; and, at the same time, ruin is...
Earthly ProspectsDeceitful.
... I. SEASONS NEW-YEAR'S HYMNS. Hymn 6 Earthly prospectsdeceitful. John Newton
7,7,7,7. Earthly prospectsdeceitful. Oft in vain the voice of truth,....
HowDeceitful the Love of this World Is, and How Amiable God Is.
... PART THE FIRST. CHAPTER VI. HOWDECEITFUL THE LOVE OF THIS WORLD IS, AND
HOW AMIABLE GOD IS. The Servant."Sweetest God, if I leave...
And at First, Indeed, thatDeceitful and Lawless One...
... Piece XXV. And at first, indeed, thatdeceitful and lawless one? And at
first, indeed, thatdeceitful and lawless one, with crafty...
That theDeceitful Demons, While Promising to Conduct Men to God...
... Book IX. Chapter 18."That theDeceitful Demons, While Promising to Conduct Men to
God by Their Intercession, Mean to Turn Them from the Path of Truth....
TheDeceitful Arts and Nefarious Practices of Marcus.
... Against Heresies: Book I Chapter XIII."Thedeceitful arts and nefarious
practices of Marcus. 1. But [2813] there is another among...
The Opinion which the Mind Has of Itself isDeceitful.
... Book X. Chapter 6."The Opinion Which the Mind Has of Itself isDeceitful.
8. But the mind errs, when it so lovingly and intimately...
Psalm CXX.
... ascent. 3. "Deliver my soul, O Lord, from unrighteous lips, and from a
deceitful tongue" (ver.2). What is adeceitful tongue? A...
Psalm CIX.
... 2. The Psalm, then, beginneth thus: "O God, be not silent as to my praise; for the
mouth of the ungodly, yea, the mouth of thedeceitful is opened upon me" (ver...
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.
...Deceptive (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Proverbs 11:18 The wicked earnethdeceitful wages; but he that soweth
righteousness hath a sure reward. (See NAS RSV NIV)....
Dainties (14 Occurrences)
... with a ruler" (Proverbs 23:1-3) is counseled, "If thou be a man given to appetite,
be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they aredeceitful food" (compare...
Deceit (160 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles,deceitful workers, masquerading
as Christ's apostles.... Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty anddeceitful man....
Deceitfully (22 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Micah 6:12 Whose rich ones have been full of violence, And its inhabitants
have spoken falsehood, And their tongue 'is'deceitful in their mouth....
Unreliable (2 Occurrences)
... They were turned aside like adeceitful bow. (See NIV).... will you indeed be
to me as adeceitful brook, as waters that fail? (See NAS)....
Incurable (13 Occurrences)
... will you indeed be to me as adeceitful brook, as waters that fail?... Jeremiah 17:9
The heart isdeceitful above all things, and incurable; who can know it?...
Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... with a ruler" (Proverbs 23:1-3) is counseled, "If thou be a man given to appetite,
be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they aredeceitful food" (compare...
Meats (9 Occurrences)
... with a ruler" (Proverbs 23:1-3) is counseled, "If thou be a man given to appetite,
be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they aredeceitful food" (compare...
Bloodthirsty (6 Occurrences)
... Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty anddeceitful man. (WEB RSV NIV).... Bloodthirsty and
deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you....
Resources
How can I know if the desires of my heart are from God? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say to follow your heart? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about motives? | GotQuestions.orgDeceitful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
