29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
deceit,
The word “deceit” was used for bait for fish; thus, it carries the idea of deceiving the fish with a lure. Desire in this context is to bait or deceive people. There is little that is straightforward about deceitful people.
The Greek word was used for watering down wine and corrupting precious metals such as gold.
PRINCIPLE:
Deceit is the cunning or treacherous aspect of man.
APPLICATION:
Fallen man loves to use words as treachery whereby they snare the unsuspecting. This is done for personal gain. They cunningly deal with others. This is the opposite of Nathaniel, in whom was no guile. A deceitful person cannot act straightforwardly but is devious and underhanded. He operates with intrigue and ulterior motive.
Jn 1:47, Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
There are always people who will stoop to any means to reach their ends. They will use underhanded and devious methods to get their own way. These people are double-dealers. “O, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”
1 Pe 2:22, “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
