Jeremiah 14:14-14:14. What is Deceit? The intentional misleading or beguiling of another; in Scripture represented as a companion of many other forms of wickedness, as cursing (Psa 10:7), hatred (Pro 26:24), theft, covetousness, adultery, murder (Mar 7:22; Rom 1:29). The Revised Version (British and American) introduces the word in Pro 14:25; 2Th 2:10; but in such passages as Psa 55:11; Pro 20:17; Pro 26:26; 1Th 2:3, renders a variety of words, more accurately than the King James Version, by "oppression," "falsehood," "guile," "error."
The face of deceit is not always an ugly one sometimes it comes in the form of a smile, a wave, an angel of beauty and glorious appearance. Sometimes it comes in the form of a sweet smelling rose or a friend. Sin doesn't always take on an appearance of ugliness, sometimes its beautiful. Some of the most beautiful things that we see in this life are sometimes the most deadly. The Face of Deception takes not only thankfulness away from among men [we forget, or fail, or wont acknowledge God for the substance of our life], but also lifted up with the glorious words of lewd persons [people with only their interest in mind], that were never good [the plans of these people are evil in nature], they think to escape the justice [Judgment] of God, that seeth all things and hateth evil. Oftentimes also fair speech of those that are put in trust to manage their friends' affairs hath caused many that are in authority to be par-takers of innocent blood, and hath en-wrapped them in remediless [no way to escape] calamities: Beguiling with the falsehood and deceit of their lewd [vulgar] disposition the innocence and goodness of princes.
Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not [Many preach and teach in their own name, they were neither called nor ordained by God for service], neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination [Division comes with false, preachers, teachers and Prophets], and a thing of nought [Their words will come to nothing, neither can they save nor prolong the judgment], and the deceit of their heart[They have lied to themselves].
Deceit sometimes says one thing and then does another, it twists the truth into a lie so conveniently that we have a hard time telling the truth from a lie. Have you ever been deceived by a pretty face or a friend that confesses that you are the center of their world, just to be put down in front of someone else? You've all seen the face of deceit, on television, a handsome face a pretty smile, great swelling words of utopia in this world and all the while these faces attempt to rob you of your finances and livelihood in the name of God. Or have you considered that a man can lie to himself? Why would a man lie to himself, you may ask, its simple many people deceive themselves to gain self importance, self pride, not wanting to admit that there are limitations to their very existence or to justify the evil that they have done to someone else.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
These men that Our Lord speaks of are liars to themselves. They know the truth but still they become involved in the cares of the world and self-pride, bringing themselves to believe a lie and have pride in lying to others. These deceivers are not only deceiving themselves but they deceive those who are not strong in the faith or in the word of God. They've pulled a veil over their eyes and try to put a veil over the eyes of others. Hearing that they cannot understand and seeing that they cannot perceive, the blind leading the blind, both heading for a Devils Hell. The face of deceit loves company, just as Satan wants to drag as many with him to Hell as He can. Deceit knows no boundaries, love, hate, compassion or guilt. Sometimes the face of Deceit is the one in the mirror, that is the greatest deceiver of all.
Jam 1:23-24 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Ask yourself a question and be honest with yourself; Have you ever heard a sermon that touched your heart and then without taking the steps to change your life or give yourself to Christ, you let that moment slip away into history? Have you looked in the mirror later at home still under conviction and said to yourself, "That message was for someone else"? If you said yes, then you have deceived and lied to yourself, I'm afraid my friends, that decision may come back to haunt you.
Psa 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
A good description of Satan and the face of Deceit. So then what can we do about the Face of Deceit?
Psa 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
There is nothing wrong with stopping it at the door, you know whom you can trust, you know whom you can believe.
My dad told me a long time ago; "Son, You can lock out a thief but its hard to lock out a liar."
Come out from among the world and be ye a separated people. This, starts at home, start controlling what you, watch, read, hear and invite into your home, make it a place that Jesus would be pleased with. Take back possession of the blessings of God, go to that enemy camp and reclaim all that God desired you to have, take back your home and branch out from there. Those of you that are lost, take back that face in the mirror, when the Holy Spirit draws you, take back your inheritance that Satan tried to steel, give your life over to Jesus and take back the time you lost. Don't let that Face of Deceit steel from you ever again. What do you do after you've taken it all back; Dan 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. Start taking back your, friends, loved ones, family and enemies, show them the face of deceit, put a bright spotlight in its face and be a witness of the graciousness of God.
Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R. Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/