Tag: deceitful

Romans 3:13 – Painful Words

Posted on by Will

"Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they were deceitful"; "the poison of asps is under their lips";

Truth to Learn

Our words can be powerful weapons of pain if not controlled.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “throat” is the Greek word larugx, from which we get the medical term larynx. This is the part of the throat that produces the sound necessary for speech.

“They were deceitful” is translated from the word dolioō, meaning “to lure as with bait” or “to use carefully crafted words to deceive.” As pointed out below, this verse is a quotation of the Old Testament. The Hebrew equivalent of this word means “smooth.” In Psalms 5:9, therefore, it literally says “they have smooth tongues.”

 

Meaning Explained

This verse is made up of two direct quotations from the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament.):

Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they speak deceit (Psalms 5:9b)

the poison of asps is under their lips (Psalms 140:3b)

Paul’s use of the Septuagint to quote from rather than the Masoretic Text (the predominant Hebrew version of the Old Testament at that time) is interesting. In fact in all of his writings Paul, like all the other writers of the New Testament, quotes predominantly from the Septuagint rather than the Masoretic Text. For the other writers of the New Testament this may not seem too strange since they were predominantly not from the “learned” class of Jews. Paul, on the other hand, was brought up under Gamaliel, one of the leading Jewish teachers of the time. Paul’s use of the Septuagint probably reflects the fact that most Jews and Christians of the first and second centuries used, and were familiar with, the Septuagint. Thus, he was quoting from a version that they would recognize readily.

Regarding his message, Paul is continuing to demonstrate what the Scriptures have to say about the condition of all people (Jew or Gentile), that we are unrighteous sinners, not deserving of God’s blessing. In this passage Scripture says our throat is an open grave. As pointed out in Behind the Words, the word throat refers to the larynx which is the source of speech. Paul tells us that it is like an open grave which, according to Proverbs 30:15, 16 is never satisfied. In other words, natural man continually utters harmful speech.

This passage then tells us that natural man practices deceit with his tongue. Without God’s regeneration, man uses smooth words to deceive others into satisfying his own desire. That sounds like “spin,” or good ol’ everyday advertising to me. Back in the 1940s they would have called it propaganda! Finally, this passage tells us that the words of unregenerate man can bite like a deadly snake.

 

Application

We have all felt the pain of deceitful, dishonest words used against us to intentionally harm us. And, we have just learned that it’s a part of our fallen human nature to do that to others. As Christians we can overcome our natural tendency to use our words in such a hurtful way. We can only do so, however, by submitting ourselves to our God and asking the Holy Spirit to control our speech so that it glorifies Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Peter 2:3 – Snake Oil Preaching

Posted on by Will

And by covetousness, with deceitful words they will use you for gain, whose judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep

Truth to Learn

Not every message delivered from the pulpit comes from God.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “covetousness” is the Greek word pleonexia, which means, “fraudulent practice driven by greed.”

The next expression is, “deceitful words.” This comes from the Greek words plastois logois. We have seen the word logos before, meaning “a word or a message.” The other word here is plastos, from which we get our English word “plastic.” This Greek word means “molded” or “purposely shaped.” Today we refer to this kind of language as “spin.”

The verb “will use you for gain” comes from the Greek word emporeuomai, which means “to travel about as a merchant or trader.” The way it’s used here it means “to make merchandise of people.”

 

Meaning Explained

We have been talking about false prophets of the past and false teachers of the present. Peter now tells us what is driving their actions and how they operate. His imagery is that of a snake oil salesman traveling about, taking advantage of uneducated people by way of well chosen but intentionally misleading words so as to make the message sound the way people want it to sound for the purpose of taking their money. These false teachers that Peter is talking about are presenting messages that will inspire and comfort people so that they will give to the ministry and meet the selfish desires of the false teachers.

Their deception is as old as sin itself, driven by the same selfishness that drove Satan to deceive Eve with molded words that may have sounded good but lead to destruction. Peter tells us (literal translation of the second half of today’s verse):

their long standing judgment is not idle and their destruction is not dozing-off

In other words, the same judgment that has been given concerning this type of deception from of old will be applied to these false teachers of today without fail. They may think that they are getting away with something, but their destruction is sure.

These false teachers are occupying many of our church pulpits today, delivering homilies and sermons that bless the hearts of the hearers, while leading them straight to Hell. Their messages are soothing and even inspiring, but they are not the messages that God wants delivered. The messages are intended to please the people rather than to proclaim the message of sacrifice, commitment, and submission. These are the deceptive messages that church members are willing to pay for. How sad!

 

Application

The next time you hear your pastor preach a message that is straight from The Word, one that pricks your heart, causing you to once again submit yourself to the God of all creation, tell him thank you for taking the road less traveled and being God’s instrument of righteousness.

But, perhaps you go to church on Sunday to be soothed and comforted. If so, you may be buying snake oil!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:22 – Lose the Old Man

Posted on by Will

that you put off, concerning your former behavior, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

Truth to Learn

Christians need to deny the desires of their sin nature.

 

Behind the Words

The words “put off” are translated from apotithēmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and tithēmi, meaning “to place” or “to put.” Thus, it literally means “to put away from.” Since this is grammatically coupled with enduō (to put on a garment) in verse twenty-four, it is most reasonably a reference to taking something off, like a garment.

“Former” is from proteros, a comparative form of protos, meaning “first.” Proteros refers to something prior or previous.

“Behavior” is translated from anastrophē, which is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “again” and a form of strephō, meaning “to turn.” The noun anastrophe, therefore, refers to “a turning around again.” Metaphorically, it is often a reference to one’s behavior or manner of life. It is similar to peripateō (to walk around) which we saw back in verse seventeen.

“Grows corrupt” are from the verb phtheirō, which means “to waste away, to become rotten, or to become corrupt.”

“Deceitful” is translated from apathē, which refers to “that which is deceptive or seductive.”

 

Meaning Explained

This particular train of thought of the Apostle Paul started back in verse seventeen where he said, “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.” His reason for saying this was given in the previous two verses: because we have been taught the truth which is in Jesus Christ. He now gives some of the details of the truth that Christ teaches, which include, “quit behaving like you used to.”

In order to make his teaching even clearer, Paul introduces us to something that he calls “the old man.” He makes other references to this “old man” in Romans 6:6 and in Colossians 3:9. In the Romans passage, Paul tells us that our old man was crucified with Christ. Then, in Galatians 5:24, he tells us that it is our “flesh” with its passions and desires that has been crucified with Christ; thus, we see that our “old man” is equated with our “flesh.” And, in the eighth chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul teaches a great deal about our “flesh.” There we learn that it is our “flesh,” our “old man,” sometimes referred to as our “sin nature” that draws us into sin and away from the righteousness of Christ.

In today’s verse (as in Colossians 3:9) we are told to take off the “old man.” Since Paul is talking to Christians, those who have previously professed Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, it is clear that he teaches that Christians still have a sin nature. And, unfortunately, we will continue to possess the “old man” until that day when God will make us perfect (in Heaven). Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with his sin nature (see Romans chapter seven) and it frustrated him too!

 

Application

Don’t be alarmed that as a Christian you still commit sin. You haven’t lost your salvation. It is the old man you’re wearing. Whenever you find that you’re wearing him, confess your sins and lay him aside. Then focus again on serving your Savior.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:22 – Lose the Old Man

Posted on by Will

that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

Truth to Learn

Christians need to deny the desires of their sin nature.

Behind the Words

The words “put off” are translated from apotithēmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and tithēmi, meaning “to place” or “to put.” Thus, it literally means “to put away from.” Since this is grammatically coupled with enduō (to put on a garment) in verse twenty-four, it is most reasonably a reference to taking something off like a garment.

“Former” is from proteros, a comparative form of protos, meaning “first.” Proteros refers to something prior or previous.

“Conduct” is translated from anastrophē, which is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “again” and a form of strephō, meaning “to turn.” The noun anastrophe, therefore, refers to “a turning around again.” Metaphorically, it is often a reference to one’s behavior or manner of life. It is similar to peripateō (to walk around) which we saw back in verse seventeen.

“Grows corrupt” are from the verb phtheirō, which means “to waste away, to become rotten, or to become corrupt.”

“Deceitful” is translated from apathē, which refers to “that which is deceptive or seductive.”

Meaning Explained

This particular train of thought of the Apostle Paul started back in verse seventeen where he said, “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.” His reason for saying this was given in the previous two verses: because we have been taught the truth which is in Jesus Christ. He now gives some of the details of the truth that Christ teaches, which include, “quit acting like you used to act.”

In order to make his teaching even clearer, Paul introduces us to something that he calls “the old man.” He makes other references to this “old man” in Romans 6:6 and in Colossians 3:9. In the Romans passage, Paul tells us that our old man was crucified with Christ. Then, in Galatians 5:24, he tells us that it is our “flesh” with its passions and desires that has been crucified with Christ; thus, we see that our “old man” is equated with our “flesh.” And, in the eighth chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul teaches a great deal about our “flesh.” There we learn that it is our “flesh,” our “old man,” sometimes referred to as our “sin nature” that draws us into sin and away from the righteousness of Christ.

In today’s verse (as in Colossians 3:9) we are told to take off the “old man.” Since Paul is talking to Christians, those who have previously professed Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, it is clear that he teaches that Christians still have a sin nature. And, unfortunately, we will continue to possess the “old man” until that day when God will make us perfect (in Heaven). Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with his sin nature (see Romans chapter seven) and it frustrated him too!

Application

Don’t be alarmed that as a Christian you still commit sin. You haven’t lost your salvation. It is the old man you’re wearing. Whenever you find that you’re wearing him, confess your sins and lay him aside. Then focus again on serving your Savior.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 4:14 – Doctrinal Trickery

Posted on by Will

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

Truth to Learn

False teaching appears deceptively easy and attractive.

Behind the Words

Nēpios is the Greek word translated “children.” It is made up of nē, meaning “not” and epos, meaning “a word.” Thus, nēpios literally means “on who can’t speak.” By application it refers to a baby but metaphorically it means “one who is extremely immature or unlearned.”

“Tossed to and fro” is from kludōnidzomai, which means “to surge” or “to fluctuate back and forth.”

The words “carried about” are translated from the verb peripherō, which is made up of peri, meaning “around” and pherō, meaning “to bear” or “to carry.” Thus, literally it means “to carry around.” It is expressed here in the passive participle. It could be translated “being carried around.”

“Wind” is the proper translation of the Greek word anemos. Metaphorically it is often used as an indication of instability.

“Doctrine” is from didaskalia, meaning “that which is taught.”

The word “trickery” is translated from kubeia, a form of kubos (from which we get our English word cube) referring to one of a pair of dice. Kubeia is often used to imply “deception.”

“Cunning craftiness” is from panourgia, from pas (all) and ergon (work). It refers to “the use of all means necessary (often deceptive) to realize an end.”

Planē is the word translated “deceitful.” It refers to “a wandering out of the right way.”

The word “plotting” is from methodeia, from which we get our English word “method,” referring to “an orderly procedure.”

Meaning Explained

As we can see from his vividly descriptive words, Paul feels strongly about this. He has been telling us why it is important for all of us to be at work in the church using the gifts that God has given us to build-up the body of Christ. In yesterday’s verse he told us we all work to gain a full knowledge of Jesus Christ, to be full grown, mature Christians.

The reason that we need to be spiritually mature and have full knowledge of our Lord and Savior is so that we won’t be misled by those who teach false doctrine. Unfortunately, there are those in our churches today who want to teach their truth rather than God’s truth. These men (and women) use subtle trickery to persuade others to believe their false teaching. They often have a “method” which is carefully thought out but which does not ultimately lead to knowledge of the truth.

Those who are taught to detect counterfeit money don’t study all the tricks of counterfeiting. Instead, they are taught in detail how to recognize the real thing. In order for us to recognize false teaching, we need learn good, Bible-based teaching.

Application

If the preaching you listen to is not encouraging you to seek out the truth from what the Bible says, then it may be deceptive teaching. Becoming a mature Christian is hard work. You don’t get there by just going through the motions. If what you hear about being a Christian sounds easy, it’s probably a lie. Find out for yourself – study your Bible to protect yourself.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.