Category Archives: Deceit

Bible, Deceit, Deception, Devil, Evil, Schemes, Scripture

DECEITFUL SCHEMING

EPHESIANS 4:14

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;”

Raise your hand if you like being deceived. What? Nobody raised their hand? Me either! No one likes being deceived. We feel betrayed, lured into something we don’t want to do. In today’s cyber attacks, people are often deceived into clicking a link to something that looks innocent. It could be a video that appears to be from a friend but turns out to be a way for a hacker to gain access to your computer and hold you ransom in order to get money from you. It really is deceitful scheming.

In today’s verse, Paul warns us against falling for these types of schemes from people. They want to fool you into believing things that are contrary to the truth of God’s Word. The word translated “scheming” is methodeia. It’s a method used in organized evil-doing (well-crafted trickery). (HELPS Word studies). “Deceitful” is the word plane, which implies deviant behavior. It’s a departure from what God says is true; an error (deception) which results in wandering (roaming into sin). (HELPS Word studies).

APPLICATION

How do we guard ourselves from such attacks? I only know of one way – remain in the Word. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 2:3, “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;” No! Our exhortation comes from truth – God’s truth. His Word will never deceive but will always lead us to more truth.

I had a conversation recently with a young man who had gotten involved with a “Christian” cult years ago. This cult was formed as a church and was led by a man who constantly defended himself from any accusation. The Gospel was not the primary focus of his “preaching” but rather just defending his actions. When this man and his wife left this church, they were told they would go to hell for leaving his church. That is not truth. That was deceitful scheming.

Who is this source of scheming? None other than the devil himself. Paul will tell us later in Ephesians 6:11 that we need to, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Paul also tells us in 2 Corinthians 2:11, as he is discussing the topic of forgiveness, “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

Beware of anything that does not point you to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Only His truth is trustworthy. Measure everything against His Word. Then you can be sure to walk in spirit and in truth. 

I am so thankful that Your Word is truth and can always be trusted.

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Accursed, Bible, Captivity, Circumcision, Darkness, Deceit, Decisions, Evil, Flesh, Light, Rescue, Scripture

ONCE UPON A TIME

EPHESIANS 2:11

“Therefore, remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—”

“Once upon a time” has been used to start a lot of stories. Some of those stories ended well and some didn’t. But those first four words told you that this happened in the past. It doesn’t specify exactly, but you know it was back then and not now. Isn’t it sad, though, that so many people live back then in the “once upon a time” period? They are slaves to their past.

Paul reminds the Ephesians today that “once upon a time” they were just considered the “Uncircumcision.” They were looked down upon by the “Circumcision,” the Jews. They were pagans who had no hope of redemption. That little Greek word, pote, is the difference. It means “at one time or other, at some time, formerly.” One definition given is “in the old time.” I like that one. Paul tells the Ephesians (and us) that that was then. Things have changed though because of Christ.

APPLICATION

Think back to how you were before Christ. Aren’t you glad He has changed you? Paul says a few things about our former life in this letter to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 2:2 we saw that we “formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” In 2:3 we “all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” We walked. We lived.

Paul goes on in verse 13 (which we will see in a couple of days) to say we “formerly were far off.” And Paul uses pote one more time in this letter in 5:8 and says we “were formerly darkness.” Look at what we were: we walked in sin, we lived in sin, we were far off in sin, we were in darkness in sin. Sin had that grip on us.

But praise be to God, He has rescued us from this former life. He has given us a new life in Christ. We walk differently. We live differently. We are near to Christ and are in the light. Wow, what a change! Is that you today? Are you brand new in Jesus?

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my life.

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Allies, Bible, Choices, Deceit, Division, Falsehoods, Guard, Isolation, Scripture

ISOLATE

GALATIANS 4:17

“They eagerly seek you, not in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them.” 

Some people, in an effort to control you, will try to isolate you and shut you off from your friends and family. They will appear to have such compassion and care for you, but it is all part of their plans to have you to themselves. They will fill your mind with all kinds of platitudes. You will think they are your best friend. They can be very convincing.

In today’s verse, Paul is referring back to the people who were trying to put the Galatians back under the law. One term used to describe them is “Judaizers.” These people “eagerly” sought the Galatians. They wanted to “shut…out” the Galatians, isolate them so they could control them. They knew Paul stood in their way, so they were always trying to stir up discord about Paul and drive him out of town. Paul is warning the Galatians here about them.

APPLICATION

How does this verse apply to us today? Well, there are still a type of Judaizers among us. There are people who want to control how and what we think. There are plenty of modern day legalizers who want to force you to obey laws and commands which we have been freed from. Romans 8:1-2 says it clearly. “1 Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” 

When we learn to live in freedom, without any guilt from what others are saying we should and shouldn’t do, then we will experience true freedom in Christ. Later in this letter to the Galatians, Paul says this, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) “A yoke of slavery”! Who wants that? I sure don’t.

So, don’t let others tell you what you must do or not do in Christ. Go to the Word. It will instruct. Sure, we need good counsel and good teaching. But ultimately, you must discover your freedom in Jesus. Don’t get isolated by any one person or group. We need fellowship with other believers. Remember that Christ has set you free through His blood.

O Father, I thank You that I do not have to conform to a list of rules to show my love for You.

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Allies, Battles, Deceit, Deception, Devil, Enemies, Falsehoods, Satan, Scripture

SPIES AMONG US

GALATIANS 2:4

“Yet it was a concern because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.”

I love a good spy movie. Now, there are two kinds of spy movies. You have one where the good guy is the spy trying to stop the evil intentions of someone. The other kind is when the spy is the enemy who has infiltrated the good guys with the intent to dismantle their efforts. Which one do you pull for? Of course, you said the good guy, right?

Well, in today’s verse, Paul reveals there were spies among them. He called them “false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom.” Sounds pretty sinister to me. One definition of the Greek word used for “spy” is to “intently look at, especially to inflict harm (damage); to observe something secretly, i.e. with covered (evil) motives.” That word is only used here in Gal 2:4.

APPLICATION

Our takeaway from this verse should be that we need to be aware of those around us who are pretending to be something they are not. The disciple John warns us in 1 John 2:19 about this. “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us.”

The enemy loves to infiltrate the camp of God to try and sabotage His work. He will use anyone or anything to do that. He sets boobytraps and landmines. He explodes families. He especially loves to attack the lives of Christian leaders. 1 Peter 5:8 is another reminder of his intent. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

It’s enough to make you pull the covers up and stay in bed, right? No!!! We have to get up and strap on the armor of God each day. We have to listen for God’s orders and then go on the offensive. We have to take the fight to the enemy. There are literally billions of people on their way to the enemy’s camp of destruction. We have our orders. Let’s march.

Lord, help us drive out the spies among us and storm the strongholds.

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Accused, Bible, Deceit, Enemies, Lying, Scripture, Truth

I AM NOT LYING

GALATIANS 1:20

“(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)”

Have those words (I am not lying) ever come out of your mouth? If you are like most people, they probably have at some point. Maybe you were telling an incredible tale that most people would not believe. Perhaps you were defending yourself from a false allegation. I think of our U.S. courts that swear you in by asking you respond to the question – Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (they used to include “so help me God” but not anymore)? I wonder how the court would respond if you said, “Heck no, I am going to lie the whole time.”

Obviously other stories of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem had circulated in the Galatian churches. Perhaps someone said that Paul got all his instructions from the apostles. Maybe they were saying Paul had no authority to teach. So, Paul explains that he only met with Peter and James on this trip. The word Paul uses here for “lying” means to willingly misrepresent, to deceive. It was important for Paul to make it clear he was not doing that.

APPLICATION

We shouldn’t be surprised when the enemy falsely accuses us. Look at Matthew 5:11-12 from the Beatitudes. “11 ‘Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”

In other words, we are in good company. People more spiritual than us have been falsely accused. Jesus Himself was falsely accused by those who wanted Him gone. We just have to keep telling the truth. In John 8:31-32, Jesus tells us the importance of the truth. “31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

Yes, we may have to defend ourselves from time to time. But if we are living according to His truth, He will defend us. He will give us the words to say. He will give us His words of truth to say. That’s what matters the most. We can honestly say “I am not lying” by living according to the truth each and every day.

You are the truth, Lord. Show me how to walk in it daily.

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Accursed, Bible, Deceit, Deception, Enemies, Falsehoods, Gospel, Scripture, Truth

UNRELIABLE PEOPLE

GALATIANS 1:8

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”

I’ve known people who were flip-floppers. What does that mean? It means they would change their minds or views on a subject to go along with others. They would stick their finger in the wind and go in that direction. They were not reliable, therefore, for anything important. And they soon proved to be unreliable as a friend or confidant.

In today’s verse, Paul addresses the threat of a changing gospel. He gets pretty forceful by saying even if they hear he, other apostles or even an angel was preaching gospel different than what he preached earlier (only Jesus was required for salvation), let them be accursed. The Greek word for “accursed” is anathema. It means “excommunicated thing, cursed.” That person should be totally disregarded.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes says this about today’s verse: “It follows from this:

(1) That any other doctrine than what is proclaimed in the Bible on the subject of justification is to be rejected and treated with abhorrence, no matter what the rank, talent, or eloquence of him who defends it. (2) that we are not to patronize or countenance such preachers. No matter what their zeal or their apparent sincerity, or their apparent sanctity, or their apparent success, or their real boldness in rebuking vice, we are to withdraw from them.”

In other words, believers, be careful who you follow. There are so many wolves in sheep clothing out there. The Lord said in Matthew 7:15-16a, “’15 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.’”

Paul warns us, also, in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

You’ve been warned. There is no excuse. You have to protect your ears by staying in the Word, listening to His voice, spending time in prayer. Listen to the Holy Spirit always and compare what preachers and teachers are saying with God’s Word. Ask the Lord to show you if what they are teaching is true. He will. He wants you to follow only those who know Him.

Father, show me very clearly who is following You and not themselves or our enemy.

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Affliction, Battles, Belief, Bible, Confrontation, Corruption, Deceit, Enemies, Fighting, Gospel, Scripture

AGITATORS

GALATIANS 1:7

“which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

It seems in every body of believers there are those who are determined to disturb and agitate. If they don’t get their way in a committee meeting, they start grumbling and mumbling. Other agitators come in and start complaining about the Pastor’s messages. They are subtle, but impactful. Before you know it, you have a full blown rebellion happening in the church.

Why do I bring this up? Because this is exactly what Paul is speaking about in today’s verse. Those people who came into the Galatian churches after Paul were agitating and trying to change the Gospel which Paul had preached. The Greek word for “disturbing” means “to stir up trouble.” Then Paul uses a word for “distort” that is only used three times in Scripture. It means “to turn or pervert.” These people had ill intentions from the start. “Paul’s message wasn’t good enough. You need this, too.”

APPLICATION

This other gospel that was being preached by these agitators in Galatia is still present today. They were preaching that you need to do certain things to receive salvation. Belief in Jesus wasn’t enough. You needed to keep the Mosaic law. Well, today you may not hear that, but you hear other things are required for salvation. You must do this, or you can’t do that. Listen, all we need in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Paul also says over in Romans 5:1-2, “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.” You can’t get much clearer than that. Nothing will justify us before God except the blood of Christ.

What are you working so hard for? You can’t achieve your salvation through works. You can’t achieve your salvation by going to church every time the doors are opened. You can’t get to heaven on your own merits. You can’t do enough to tip the scale in your favor. But…Jesus’ blood can. Are you washed in His blood? If you are, you are sealed with His promise. Hallelujah!

Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?

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Accountability, Deceit, God's Will, Heart, Integrity, Offering, Scripture

YOU CAN’T BRIBE GOD

MALACHI 2:12

“As for the man who does this, may the LORD eliminate from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and answers, or who presents an offering to the LORD of armies.”

Man, when we are in tight places, we’ll make all kinds of bargains with God. You may have heard the expression, “there are no atheist in foxholes.” We think if we are sincere enough, if we say it through enough tears, then God has to believe us. We forget that God can see right through those veiled vows.

Malachi warns the people in today’s verse of the same thing. He is referring back to yesterday’s verse when he says, “who does this.” “Who is awake and answers” refers to both passive and active sins, those who committed the sin and those who just stood by and watched. And then they went and offered sacrifices to try to gain God’s favor. God knew their hearts.

APPLICATION

How many times have you done this? Be honest, now. You went out one weekend and partied hard, sowing some wild oats. Then you are at the altar on Sunday morning begging God for a crop failure. Now, maybe you were truly sincere at that altar, maybe you were truly remorseful. But you have to remember that God knows the intent of your heart.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “9‘The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, to give to each person according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.’” You can’t hide your heart’s intent. So, stop trying to do that.

I have found the best practice is to NOT DO THOSE THINGS, lol. I realize sin will be present in our lives until we go to glory. But we seriously can live lives that are holy and devoted to Him. How? By submitting daily to His will, you and I can avoid most of those bad decisions. We will give Him glory and praise Him for all our choices that honor Him. Practice that today!

Lord, I praise You for knowing my every thought. Help me stay focused on honoring You.

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Agreement, Attitude, Betrayal, Bible, Covenant, Deceit, Defiled, Offering, Scripture

THE OLE SWITCHAROO

MALACHI 1:14

“‘But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘and My name is feared among the nations.’”

I bet you have never done that, have you? You promised one thing, and at the last minute you switched it out for something of lesser quality. No, you wouldn’t do that, I am sure. But a lot of people do. There are a lot of swindlers out there. They will take you for a nickle. You had better watch out.

The Lord accuses the people of being swindlers. They switched out the appropriate sacrificial animal for one that was blemished. The Lord was outraged. He says, “I am a great King.” He deserves the best. He required the best. Nothing less would be accepted by Him.

ACCEPTABLE

Are you playing switcharoo with God? You promise one thing and deliver another. You say, “Oh God, I promise…” You fill in the blank. But then you get out of your predicament and decide to just go halfway with your promise. Something is better than nothing, right? Wrong! God demands your all, nothing less.

Deuteronomy 15:21 still applies to our offerings to God. “But if it has any blemish, if it is lame or blind or has any serious blemish whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.” God still demands our best.

Psalm 96:4 tells us this about our God. “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.”  So, why are you offering God less? Why are you promising one thing but giving another? Whatever you vow to Him, give it. God will surely bless that. Be true to God. He is always true to you.

Father, I promise to give as I have promised. I promised you all of me. That is what I give.

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Accountability, Attitude, Bible, Boasting, Clothing, Deceit, Hiding, Humility, Scripture, Truth

NO MORE DISGUISES

ZECHARIAH 13:4

“‘Also it will come about on that day that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not put on a hairy robe in order to deceive;’”

People are so good at wearing disguises when it comes to their walk with Christ. We wear masks that show us smiling, when inside we are crying. We tell everyone we are fine, but really we are beaten down and low. Why do we do that? Why can’t we be real to each other? God sees right through these disguises. You can’t hide your true feelings from Him.

The prophets who had confessed their sin of falsehoods would be repentant, according to the Lord here in verse 4. They would not wear the traditional rough, hairy robe as a sign of humility. They had done that far too many times falsely. They wore that in the past to deceive the people. They had really been proud and arrogant, claiming to speak for God, when He had not spoken.

APPLICATION

I am reminded of Jesus saying in John 8:31-32, “‘31…If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” Jesus did not expect us to hide our true feelings. There was no need to pretend with Him. Because He is the Truth, He expects us to live in the Truth. That means not wearing those disguises.

We do not need to pretend to be something we are not. But living this way makes you vulnerable. I know that is a risk. Revealing your true self can be risky. Do you trust the Lord? Do you think He wants you living in a way that is not true? I love what Peter says in 1 Peter 5:5. “…and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,…”

Ah, there’s the risky part – being humble. See, those prophets the Lord was referring to in today’s verse were anything but humble when they were prophesying falsely and wearing that false robe of humility. Don’t go around wearing that either. But clothe yourself with true humility. Trust the Lord with your feelings. He can handle them.

O Lord, it is hard to let our guard down. Give us boldness to do so.

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