DECEIT

 •  9 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Is falsehood
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. (Psalm 119:118118Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. (Psalm 119:118))
The tongue is an instrument of
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (Romans 3:1313Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (Romans 3:13))
Comes from the heart
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: (Mark 7:2222Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: (Mark 7:22))
Characteristic of the heart
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9))
God abhors
Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. (Psalm 5:66Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. (Psalm 5:6))
Forbidden
Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. (Proverbs 24:2828Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. (Proverbs 24:28))
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (1 Peter 3:1010For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (1 Peter 3:10))
Christ was perfectly free from
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:99And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9))
Saints
Free from
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:44He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:4))
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. (Zephaniah 3:1313The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. (Zephaniah 3:13))
And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:55And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:5))
Purpose against
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. (Job 27:44My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. (Job 27:4))
Avoid
If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; (Job 31:55If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; (Job 31:5))
Shun those addicted to
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. (Psalm 101:77He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. (Psalm 101:7))
Pray for deliverance from those who use
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. (Psalm 43:11Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. (Psalm 43:1))
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. (Psalm 120:22Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. (Psalm 120:2))
Delivered from those who use
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. (Psalm 72:1414He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. (Psalm 72:14))
Should beware of those who teach
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:66Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6))
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:88Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8))
Should lay aside, in seeking truth
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (1 Peter 2:11Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (1 Peter 2:1))
Ministers should lay aside
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:22But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2))
The wicked are full of
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (Romans 1:2929Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (Romans 1:29))
Devise
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. (Psalm 35:2020For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. (Psalm 35:20))
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. (Psalm 38:1212They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. (Psalm 38:12))
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. (Proverbs 12:55The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. (Proverbs 12:5))
Utter
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (Psalm 10:77His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (Psalm 10:7))
The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. (Psalm 36:33The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. (Psalm 36:3))
Work
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. (Proverbs 11:1818The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. (Proverbs 11:18))
Increase in
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:1313But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13))
Use, to each other
And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. (Jeremiah 9:55And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. (Jeremiah 9:5))
Use, to themselves
Thus saith the Lord; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart. (Jeremiah 37:99Thus saith the Lord; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart. (Jeremiah 37:9))
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up! All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him. (Obadiah 3-73The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? 4Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. 5If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? 6How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up! 7All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him. (Obadiah 3‑7))
Delight in
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. (Proverbs 20:1717Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. (Proverbs 20:17))
False teachers are workers of
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:1313For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:13))
Preach
Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. (Jeremiah 14:1414Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. (Jeremiah 14:14))
How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; (Jeremiah 23:2626How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; (Jeremiah 23:26))
Impose on others by
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:1818For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:18))
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:1414That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14))
Sport themselves with
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; (2 Peter 2:1313And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; (2 Peter 2:13))
Hypocrites devise
They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit. (Job 15:3535They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit. (Job 15:35))
Hypocrites practice
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. (Hosea 11:1212Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. (Hosea 11:12))
False witnesses use
He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. (Proverbs 12:1717He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. (Proverbs 12:17))
A characteristic of antichrist
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (2 John 77For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (2 John 7))
Characteristic of the apostasy
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:1010And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10))
Evil of
Hinders knowledge of God
Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:66Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:6))
Keeps from turning to God
Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (Jeremiah 8:55Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (Jeremiah 8:5))
Leads
To pride and oppression
As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. (Jeremiah 5:27-2827As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. 28They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. (Jeremiah 5:27‑28))
To lying
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. (Proverbs 14:2525A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. (Proverbs 14:25))
Often accompanied by fraud and injustice
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (Psalm 10:77His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (Psalm 10:7))
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. (Psalm 43:11Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. (Psalm 43:1))
Hatred often concealed by
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. (Proverbs 26:24-2624He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. (Proverbs 26:24‑26))
The folly of fools is
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. (Proverbs 14:88The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. (Proverbs 14:8))
The kisses of an enemy are
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:66Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6))
Blessedness of being free from
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:4-54He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:4‑5))
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:22Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:2))
Punishment of
But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. (Psalm 55:2323But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. (Psalm 55:23))
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people? Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? (Jeremiah 9:7-97Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people? 8Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. 9Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? (Jeremiah 9:7‑9))
See CONFIDENCE, FALSE
See DECEPTION
See FALSEHOOD
See FLATTERY
See HYPOCRISY