Deception
Romans 16:17-18 - Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary
to the doctrine which ye have teamed; and avoid them. 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.
MARK- Greek: skopeo - aim at: point out (take heed, beware.)
DECEIVE-Greek: exapatao-to seduce wholly; beguile; delude; cheat
SIMPLE - Greek: akakos - innocent; or unsuspecting.
CONTRARY - Greek - para: beside, among, at, before, by A primary preposition; properly, near;
i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively)
The half truth lies are not polar opposite as " contrary" sounds like like it would be.
Contrary comes from the word "para" meaning along side. We get our word parallel from
this.
A close counterfeit would be a better understanding. The false teacher pastors have a
doctrine that uses the same words (Faith, Believe, Love, Salvation, Hope etc) but with
different meanings to deceive.
Genesis - Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field.
SERPENT - Hebrew: Nachash - hiss; whisper or enchanter; enchant means
to charm or fascinate; to give great pleasure or delight.
SUBTIL - Hebrew: Aruwm - cunning; crafty; smoothness.
Deception (seduction) began in the garden of Eden. Serpents do not actually hiss. Hiss is a
word misapplied to the sound a serpent is said to make, meaning to whisper.
Paul spoke of deceiving men that speak enchanting words. They charm and are pleasing to the ear. Paul
said, "The time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." (II Tim 4:3)
The beast of Revelation 12-20 is called a dragon (Greek: drakon) meaning to fascinate or
charm (put under a spell). When preachers, business men, husbands, wives, children, etc.,
seduce others, their snare is "good words and fair speeches". In the secular world, this is
called a "con". Such men enchant their prey and cause them to feel good before they strike.
From Genesis to Revelation, antichrist doctrine is appealing as it contradicts Gods word
saying, we don't really have to agonize over sin. It implies - that God doesn't really mean it
when he says 't Repent or Perish".
Preachers should preach with such conviction that men
would leave the church service convicted in anguish and hurting over sin in their ives. When
men are supposed to be telling truth, beware of good words and fair speeches.
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