Category Archives: Deception

Bible, Deception, Falsehoods, Poison, Scripture, Tongue

NASTY MOUTHS

ROMANS 3:13

“‘THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,’ ‘THE VENOM OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS’”

I have never seen a grave opened after someone has been in it for a while, but I can imagine the scene and smells. What a disgusting idea. All over our neighborhood people have decorated their yards for Halloween without even thinking about the reality of death. They have skeletons and hands coming up out of the ground. They almost seem to be glorifying death. Listen, the grave is real and it’s a place from which you will not escape, unless…

Paul is quoting in today’s verse from two different Psalms. “Their throat…keep deceiving is from Psalm 5:9 and “the venom…lips” is from Psalm 140:3. The Psalmist was definitely painting an ugly picture about speaking falsehoods and slandering others. It’s meant to make us evaluate our tongues and ensure that we speak truth and good of others.

APPLICATION

My thoughts immediately went to Ephesians 4:29 which says, “Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” How many times have you heard people at church talking about someone else in a negative way? Of course, we disguise it as a prayer request, lol. We just love putting others down because we think it makes us look better.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to do the same thing. “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.” Every time we speak evil about someone, it’s like taking a hammer and chisel and chipping off pieces of truth in your life. If you are always speaking evil or gossiping, no one will ever believe you if you happen to tell the truth.

Here is another passage in Romans written by Paul, which we will examine more closely later on. Romans 15:1-2 reads, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” If you think you are spiritually strong, then Paul tells you how to speak to your neighbor. Don’t let the tongue spew forth venom, as the Psalmist said. Speak truth in love and build up each other.

Thank You, Lord, for those in my life who speak truth into me and build me up.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Deception, Prize, Reward, Scripture

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE

COLOSSIANS 2:18

“Take care that no one keeps defrauding you of your prize by delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,”

If you are a sports fan and have a favorite team, there has probably been a game in which you felt your team was robbed a victory by a poor decision by an umpire or referee. Their decision took away a touchdown or a goal, resulting in a loss rather than a victory. It makes you “fighting mad,” doesn’t it? You want to go after that referee. Well, this is exactly what Paul is talking about today in our verse.

In fact, the phrase “keeps defrauding you of your prize” is one Greek word. It only appears here. I know I refer to Strong’s Lexicon a lot in my blogs, but I find it very helpful in describing some words. As it refers to this verb, it says, “The verb ‘katabrabeuó’ is used in the context of making a judgment against someone, particularly in a way that disqualifies or condemns them. It carries the connotation of an authoritative decision, often in a negative sense, where someone is deprived of a reward or position due to a judgment made against them.”

APPLICATION

So, what is Paul saying and how does this apply to us? Listen, there are many people out there who want to rob you of your prize. What is that prize? Your heavenly reward! They want to lure you away in wrong thinking. One example of this is the lie that all people will go to heaven. God is love and He won’t send anyone to hell. Wrong! God does not send anyone to hell. People choose hell by rejecting His Son Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Paul says this about our prize. “24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” And how about in Philippians 3:14 where Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Run the race! Press on! Your prize awaits you. Keep your eye fixed on your heavenly reward. Don’t we swayed by the world or its enticements. Don’t believe easy believism. Stay the course and you will not be disappointed.

Father, I praise You for the promise of my prize. I know Your promises never fail.

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Arguments, Bible, Deception, Scripture

PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTS

COLOSSIANS 2:4

“I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.”

Some people have the ability to tell you anything and make you believe it, don’t they? We have just come out of a highly contentious political season here in the U.S. The “gift of gab” is something almost every politician has, and they use it to try to get you on their side. It doesn’t matter if what they are selling is something you need. They just want to convince you they are right, and the other person is wrong.

The Greek word translated as “persuasive speech” is pithanologia and is only used here in the New Testament. It “refers to speech that is crafted to be persuasive or convincing, often with the implication of being misleading or deceptive. It is used to describe arguments that may sound reasonable or plausible but are ultimately intended to lead one away from the truth.” (Strong’s Lexicon).

APPLICATION

How do we guard ourselves against this? James addresses this same issue in James 1:22 when he writes, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourself; do what it says.” The key is knowing and living the Word of God. If we do that, we will recognize these deceptive words being thrown our way. We will recognize the lies and half-truths when they told to us.

You see, Paul knew the Colossian believers would be attacked by those in their environment who thought differently. You can just add this Jesus to our other gods we worship. What is so special about your faith compared to the centuries of our beliefs. Persuasive argument users doesn’t have to get you to actually join them. If they can just get you doubting what you believe, they have won.

Psalm 119 has 176 verses. Almost every verse mentions God’s Word (laws, statutes, commandments, etc). Verse 11 says this, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” If you and I do that, we can prepare our ears to recognize these “persuasive arguments” that Paul warns us about. Get in the Word!

Father, guard my ears by filling my heart with Your Word.

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Bible, Deception, Devil, Disobedience, Evil, Scripture, Wrath

WORLDLY DECEPTION

EPHESIANS 5:6

“See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Many years ago, when I was on a trip, I was propositioned by a lady while I was eating my dinner alone in a restaurant. I had seen her and another lady sitting across the restaurant at another table when I was seated. About halfway through my meal she approached and asked if I was interested in some “company.” I proudly raised my left hand, pointed at my wedding band and said, “Sorry, I am happily married.” She said back very quickly, “That’s okay, honey. She won’t know.” I told her again that I was not interested and she walked away.

Worldly deception has been around a long time. Paul warned the Ephesians about it in today’s verse. All the things in which they had been involved (see verse 5) and all the things their unbelieving friends were still practicing were a lure by the evil one. They were probably saying things like, “Oh, come on. You’ve always participated in these things. They are our custom.” These “sons of disobedience” were being used by the evil one to try and drag these new believers right back to their old lifestyles. Paul says, “No, you have a new life now.”

APPLICATION

In Romans 2:7-9, Paul shows us the contrast between being a child of obedience versus a child of disobedience. “7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life; 8 but to those who are self-serving and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, He will give wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of mankind who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek,”

We will always have people in our lives who will try to lead us astray. Even other believers who are deceived may try to do this. So, how do you protect yourselves? James 1:22 says it rather simply. “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” We have to live out the Word of God in our daily lives. We have to walk in truth.

2 Corinthians 11:3 is another verse I have memorized about this worldly deception. “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray for your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” Stay sharp. Stay in the Word and set your mind on things above. 

Lord, guard me against any worldly influence as I walk with You

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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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Authentic, Bible, Commands, Deception, Disciples, Following, Love, Scripture, Trustworthy, Truth

AUTHENTICITY

GALATIANS 6:11

“See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!”

Call me a little crazy, but the first thing I thought of when I read this verse was the story of “Little Red Riding Hood.” You know, when Little Red Riding Hood remarked at what large ears, eyes, hands and mouth the wolf had. They looked very different than her grandmother’s, so Little Red Riding Hood noticed. Some things are just obvious.

Paul wanted to make sure the Galatians knew he had written this letter and not someone else. Scholars vary on why Paul wrote these words. Some say it was because he had bad eyesight, so he had to write large. Others say it was because he had difficulty writing the Greek letters. Still others say he was referring to the length of the letter. For whatever reason, this marked this letter as being authentic.

APPLICATION

I have a signed poster from Herschel Walker, the great running back of the 80’s at the University of Georgia. Someone told me I should get it authenticated. There are people out there who do that. We have someone in our lives, as believers, who authenticates us. In John 15:8, Jesus tells us if we are producing fruit we will be proven disciples. “‘My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.’” The Greek word translated as “prove to be” means to come into existence. We are authenticated as we come into existence, as we prove to be His disciples.

We are also authenticated by our love. In 1 John 4:8 we are told, “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” How many people do you know who say they love God but hate people. They hold grudges against people. They refuse to forgive people. God’s Word says clearly that our love for others is a sure sign of being His. It authenticates us.

Keeping God’s commandments also shows the world we are authentic believers. Also in 1 John, we find this in chapter 3 and verse 24, “The one who keeps His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He remains in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” So, the question is “Are you authentic?” Are you who you say you are?

Father, I want all who see me see me as an authentic follower of Christ.

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Accountability, Appearance, Arrogance, Bible, Deception, Honesty, Lies, Scripture, Truth

YOU CAN’T MOCK GOD

GALATIANS 6:7

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap.”

To mock someone isn’t very nice. Have you ever been mocked? Do you even know what I mean by that? To mock someone is to turn your nose up or sneer at them. In other words, you show how you feel about them – not very much. It’s meant to try to hurt that person. When you mock someone, you almost always do it so they are aware of it. You want them to see you do this in order to inflict as much pain as possible.

Well, that just won’t work with God, according to Paul in today’s verse. He says, “God is not mocked;…” The Greek word used here is only used right here in the New Testament. The word comes from the Greek word for nostril. So, you can see the symbolism. But look at why Paul says God will not be mocked. A man will reap what he sows. Let’s look at that.

APPLICATION

You may have heard it said that a lot of folks are quick to sow their wild oats and then they pray for a crop failure. Well, you can’t fool God. He knows what you’re up to. You are only deceiving yourself. You can’t pretend to be a Christian and keep one foot in the world. God knows. You can’t say you love your brother and try to take advantage. God knows.

The Greek word for “deceive” means to wander or be misled. It’s in the Present tense which means you are constantly doing it. It’s a command – don’t do this. And it’s in the middle voice which means you are misleading yourself. Did I lose you. Paul is saying to the Galatians, “Don’t let yourself wander from the truth.” This applies to us today just as much. We are prone to wander just as easily.

Do you want to live in truth? Do you want to live with nothing to hide? Then submit to God. Do not attempt to hide stuff from Him. You may turn your nose up for a while, thinking you’ve got this handled. But it will come crashing in sooner or later. Do not be deceived! God will not be mocked!

O Lord, I want to live for You and show the world I am Your child

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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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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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Allegiance, Belief, Betrayal, Bible, Deceit, Deception, Evil, Scripture, Worship

FALSE RELIGIONS

ZECHARIAH 5:11

“Then he said to me, ‘To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar; and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal.’”

We live in a world of false religions. They are all around us, and I’m not talking about the ones we can see. Some people make their careers their gods. Others put all their faith and trust in sports teams and live and die whether they win or not. It’s all deception. It’s all an attempt to fill that “God hole” in their hearts. But nothing will – except Him.

When Zechariah asked the question of the angel in the previous verse, he received this answer. They (the two winged women) were carrying her (wickedness) to Shinar to set her on a pedestal to be worshipped. Shinar was a well-known place. Does it sound familiar? Genesis 11:2 tells us, “And it came about, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.” This was the place of the tower of Babel, man’s first attempt at a world empire against God. Here in this vision, the Lord is showing Zechariah that it would happen again.

APPLICATION

Before you start throwing stones, let me ask you something. What are you building for God? Are you so focused on yourself that you have no need for Him? We certainly don’t call it empire building, do we? Oh no! We are just trying to be successful. Do you know how God measures success? Joshua 1:8 speaks it clearly. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.”

Success is about building God’s empire. It’s about knowing and living His Word. If you want to be successful and build something, then build on that. That pedestal holding wickedness will one day come tumbling down, along with all those who worship her. Just like the tower of Babel, it is a false tower, a tower built on evil.

You are probably thinking Carl has gone off the deep end. What is he talking about? Listen friends, one day we will all be judged according to who we have followed down here. I am in the camp with Jesus. How about you? The only place I have to look is up. He’s right there. He is there for you, too. Let’s build this together.

No matter where evil builds their tower, Lord, I will be focused only on building Your kingdom.

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