Tricks and Deceit

The people of Midian were determined to stop God’s people. So they joined with the Moabites to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites. This plot failed, but soon some of the Israelites succumbed to temptation and engaged in idolatry with the Midianites. Determined to keep the Israelite community pure, God commanded that all who had given themselves to false gods were to be eliminated.

As they dealt with this crisis, an Israeli man brought a Midianite woman into the community. This was a horrible violation of God’s laws. Aaron’s son, Phinehas, earned special praise by piercing this man and woman with a spear.

While concerned about keeping His people pure, God also was angered by the Midianites. What angered Him? The Bible uses two related Hebrews words: They had “deceived” His people and been guilty of “tricks.”

This was conduct God hated (Proverbs 6:17-19). He abhors a person of deceit (Psalm 5:6). He says those who practice “deceit shall not dwell within My house,” and those who speak falsehood “shall not maintain his position before me” (Psalm 101:7).

Ultimately, lies and deceit have a spiritual origin. Jesus told us that Satan is the “father of lies,” and “there is no truth in him” (John 8:44). Those who lie and deceive are simply following his example and influence.

Even Believers can be guilty of lies and deceit. Instead of being people of truth, totally committed to God, they can resort to trickery in their business dealings, in interpersonal relationships, in families and marriages, and even in churches.

If you want to please God, seek to eliminate deceit from your life. Don’t succumb to the temptation of trickery. Instead, cultivate a life of purity. Speak the truth. Be an honest ambassador of God’s Kingdom in everything you do.