BIBLICAL VIEW | DECEIT (1)

1. Introduction

Proverbs 20:17 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁷ Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

 

2. Let's tackle the word "deceit" first...

a) It includes our deceiving others, and our being deceived.

3. What does the word "deceit" mean?

a) Deceit is the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth..

4. Right from the start, let us look at our vulnerability...

a) Paul the Apostle had a grave concern...

2 Corinthians 11:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

³ But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.  

b) Paul had a right to be concerned. We all are vulnerable!

 

4. Eve was deceived as the truth behind the offer of fruit was concealed...

a) What was the deception?

i) The serpent lied when he said that GOD was withholding "wisdom" from Adam and Eve.

ii) It tasted so sweet to Eve as she  ate the forbidden fruit.

iii) Sweet! Until they took the bait - and were driven out of the garden - ended up bitter indeed!

b) Satan always holds out the bait...always promising "gain" or "pleasure"...

c) Those who use bait know what bait is effective for each kind of fish. The more deceptive the bait, the more fish they catch...

d) And what do you get when we "get hooked" by Satan's "lying" lures?

e) Heartache - Lot's of it!

4. Wine can do that...

Proverbs 23:31-32 New Living Translation (NLT)

³¹ Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,
    how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.
³² For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;
    it stings like a viper.