CENTRAL THOUGHT
Only the pure in heart shall see God.
HYMN: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE.
TEXT: Jer. 7:9, Mark 7:21-23, Mic. 6:10-12
INTRODUCTION: Deceit is fraud, trick, falseness, or treachery. It is a vice which the Lord Jesus Christ said emanates from the heart of man (Mk. 7:21-23) and defiles him. Since the fall of man, the scriptures testify, the thoughts of the heart of man have been evil continually (Gen. 6:5, Ps. 116:11, Jere. 9:5, 17:9, Mic. 6:12, Rom. 3:13).People find themselves having to put their trust in unreliable politicians, scientists, clergies, employers, etc. Hopes are crushed when they discover that the same old lies have been told to them in new words.
The wickedness of man has made man to deliberately deceive man; a man rises up and declares fallacies to people who are unsuspecting, deceives them and collects their money, their goods, or simply steals their admiration and time! He calls himself a herbalist, a palm-reader, a spiritualist or any other name. The rich deceive the poor to
get richer, salaries are delayed while lies are told to the workers. Promises are made without any intention of fulfilling them. For this reason, the scriptures say” … Cursed be the man that trusted in man, and maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departed from the Lord” (Jer. 17:5).
All form of deceit is lie, whether it’s a false smile, or a blatant lie, the idea is to give a false impression: it could be in dressing, talking, or even in eating style, any act of deceit is lie. For all persons in these classes, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44).
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.) To comprehend what deceitfulness of the heart means.
2.) To understand different ways by which deceitfulness is manifested.
3.) To discover how to escape the evil of deceit.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT IS DECEITFULNESS OF THE HEART?
Generally speaking, the heart of man is that hollow muscular organ whose rhythmic attraction acts as a force pump maintaining the circulation of the blood. However, in the context of this study, the heart of man denotes one’s innermost character, feelings, or inclinations. It also means the emotional or moral as distinguished from the intellectual nature. Deceitfulness of the heart is consequently a state of mind of an individual set to falsehood. The term describes the ability of man to reveal the wrong as being the right and/or the right as wrong willfully. It involves dissimulation, which is pretense, dishonesty, imitation or hypocrisy.
His innermost (hidden) character essentially determines the actions of a man. When the heart of a person is pure his deeds would be pure. But an individual with the dirty heart, out of his dirty heart bears dirty fruit of evil deeds (Titus 1:15). The Lord Jesus Christ said that the pure in heart are the ones that would see the Kingdom of God! (Matt. 5:8). Also, the apostle Paul admonished in Phil. 4:8,
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any praise, think on these things”. The seat or center of secret thoughts and emotions (the heart) of man can hold the truth yet release a lie; this is deceit! It could be because of self-pride, for some gains, for shame, or for other evil purpose.
Q2. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT DECEITFULNESS OF THEHEART MANIFESTS? (Jer. 17:9,10).
It is a common experience to battle with either telling the truth in a difficult situation or just escape with a lie. Most experienced people know that the idea of “escaping” with a lie does not usually turn out to be very wise as every man that had the opportunity to tell the truth but tells a lie would have an opportunity to regret it either in life or after life. So, in fact, what appears to be wise step is deceit. There are many ways deceit in the heart of man manifests. Some are discussed below.
Pet sins (Heb. 12:1, Gen. 3:4-7).
Pet sins are “Favorite” sins. They are sinful actions that an individual knows but abhors because he enjoys them! These often result from such inner deceit of “If it feels good, do it”. The individuals’ conscience condemns it, but he convinces himself that it is not too bad. Generally, when we harbor some sinful thoughts, we fall into temptation to implement our thought and would defend the wrong and find excuses to accept the wrong. Our hearts tell us that we have sufficient reasons to do it, so it must be right. We may put up a smile, dress to deceive, appear serious, and even speak blatant lies in attempt to hide the truth. This is self-deceit, and it Is from the heart.
Trusting in Ethnicity, Denomination and parental background.
It is bad to be timid and/or be ashamed of one’s background, ethnicity, or even denomination. But it is worse to live in a lie. Some lies about people’s background, ethnicity and denominations include:
•The thought that one’s tribe is better than another’s.
•The thought that only one’s denomination is good enough for every Christian, or that one’s denomination can guarantee salvation (See Matt. 3:7-9).
•The belief that one’s parents cannot be wrong.
As a result of such deceits of the hart, people depend upon and say such things as “I am even a pastor’s child” or “do you know where I come from?” (Jer. 17:5-8).
Loquacity and futility in prayer (Eccl. 5:2, Matt. 6:7-8).
This term means talkativeness or senselessness, or hollowness or fruitlessness in use of words and other activities in prayer. Often people crowd their prayers with unnecessary words, which could be mere repetitions or just avoidable additions with the hope that people would applaud them or that God would be challenged at their ability to pray (and present their case). Some people also pray in tension, not even making requests, or giving thanks from their heart but rather putting up a show. Because God is a Spirit, worshippers of God must do so in spirit and in truth! (Phil. 3:3, John 4:24). Such physical shows are deceptions of the heart of a carnal man. We may earn the applause of men by standing up to make 30-minute prayer in a congregation, but we would not get God’s approval by that (Matt. 6:7,8).
Trusting in Riches, self (Psalm 62:10, 1 Cor. 10:12, Rev. 3:17, Luke 12:16-21).
A good number of people believe that material riches imply God’s favor or approval. (While this may be true some time, most times, it is not true!) The church has been deceived a few times by such rich persons coming into the church: our congregations have forgotten the counsel of James, the Apostle (James 2:5-13). Some ministers accept money (“offering” or gift) from rich people to pray for them…. Such rich, deceived individuals who think that their wealth means approval have even been made deacons so that they may remain in the congregation. Both the church leaders and the unbelieving rich men who are involved in such practices are under serious condemnation of the just judge of the universe!
The scriptures warn sternly about trusting in riches; only the wise in heart can appreciate the Lord’s teaching in Matt. 19:24-26, (see also 1 Tim. 6:17, Mark 10:24). Dependence on riches for good living is another common way that deceit of the heart manifests. This deceit makes man to think that if he can lay up for himself enough goods for many years to come, then, he is safe, and perhaps his generation to come too. It also makes children to think that riches of their parents are covers for them. By such thoughts, however, people have become insatiable, which is lasciviousness. Yet another common practice of deceit is dependence on self in life. While self-confidence is not a sin, dependence on self is idolatry and condemned in scripture because it excludes dependence on the Almighty God (see again Jer. 17:5-8, Lk. 16:12-21).
Thinking that images can represent the Almighty God (Lev. 26:1, Ex 20:1-6).
The Lord in His infinite knowledge has placed a permanent ban on making of images to represent Him. Whether they are images of angels, animals, humans (saints, etc.) or even of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; in form of pictures or three (3) dimensional objects, it is a crime to make and it is a crime to bow to them. This level of deceit is perhaps most pervading. As a result, people wear scapula, crosses, pictures of saints and masters of all sorts, thinking that they are serving God. But the scripture says that these are all wrong and would land all involved in more animosity with God. There is only one way to be saved. Acts 2:38, 4:12.
Q3. HOW CAN A CHILD OF GOD OVERCOME DECEITFULNESS OF THEHEART? (Ps. 15:2, Prov. 3:1-6, 4:23).
The Christian who is serious-minded towards God can overcome the deceitfulness of the heart. First, the child of God must learn to receive the holy instruction! Humility would enable a child of God to learn from all circumstances of life and rather than finding reasons to err, find reasons to trust the Lord. Crave for simple ways of getting along (easy ways out in life) is a common trap. The child of God should not only study the Word of God, but treasure and do it (Ps. 119:11). Let us not forsake instruction and chose to hear what pleases us.
The believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit rather than the spices of this life. He should not be drunk with wine or overfed with food. People who live for their stomachs may not be able to aim at heaven in righteousness.
The Scriptures warn against carelessness and over-indulgence. The Christian should be serious-minded, sober and focused in life. He should get knowledge. Lack of knowledge of the word of God has made many to be led astray. A good knowledge of the word of God would keep the child of God from falling into self-deception.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The yearning of the heart of a child of God should be that the words of his mouth and the meditations of his heart be acceptable to the Lord. The consciousness of the Lord’s presence with us all the time should drive us to yearn for this.
The true source of defilement of the body is the heart of man from where all the thoughts originate. Let everyone abstain from worldliness and philosophies and dogmas of men. These things make the word of the Lord ineffective in our lives and bring us to a point of either living a lie or in a lie.
MEMORY VERSE
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Put off the old man
Eph. 4:22
Tuesday: Beware of deceitful workers
2 Corin. 11:13
Wednesday: The Lord’s warning against false prophets, etc.
Mt. 24:24
Thursday: Let’s go back to God
Heb. 3:13
Friday: Guard the heart
Prov. 4:23
Saturday: Keeping to heart the Lord’s teachings.
Prov. 3:1-6