June 10, 2020

Deceit and Deception #

Proverbs 20:1, 16, 19, 17

Introduction

Sometimes we can be very innocent, and naive in life, and not realize there are people that are not trustworthy as well as things that cannot be trusted. The Bible helps us to know what to look out for. It will benefit us, so as to be wise in this world.

The Bible, and especially the book of Proverbs serves as a great practical book, to help us be wise in a world of much foolishness.

I. Don’t Trust Wine! (Proverbs 20:1) #

Prov. 20:1 ¶ Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

A. Wine is a mocker #

Mocker – a scorner; a scoffer; a derider -

1. Science will tell you that wine is good for you, society will tell you wine is fine… God tells you that wine will mock you! #

• Generally speaking people who are drunk, make fools of themselves… or perhaps it should be said, the alcohol controls them, and makes them look like a fool.

88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually. - National Institute of Alcohol Abuse Government website.

2. Subtly #

Prov. 23:29 ¶ Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. (& vs 32)

Is. 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

3. Strong drink – is raging, the effects are far worse. #

B. Whosoever #

• Wine has mocked many people.
• Noah was mocked of wine!
• Gen. 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
• Lot was mocked of wine (Gen 19)
• Benhadad a Syrian king, lost a battle, because he was drunk! - NOT WISE!!!

II. Don’t Trust Shyster (Proverbs 20:16) #

Prov. 20:16 ¶ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

A. Take his garment #

• There are those who are wheelers and dealers, they are always trying to work something.

• Often they have to get someone to help them, because they have ruined their own name, and must prey upon the name of another.

  • They get a friend, to go in with them, and collaborate with them.
  • You can trust him…

• The idea is, take his garment, don’t take his word!

• Secure any deal you have.

B. Take a pledge of him #

• The man that is hanging out with woman, and the idea of the company he is keeping, he wants to make a business deal with you… Take a pledge, secure the deal, don’t trust them!
• There are people that are simply not to be trusted in this world.
• If you grow up innocently in church, you need to understand there are shyster’s out there that will lie to you, and rip you off. Be wise!

III. Don’t Trust Gossips (Proverbs 20:19) #

Prov. 20:19 ¶ He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

A. Talebearer - #

Talebearer – slander; evil speaking; spreading lies, busybody

1. someone who makes it their business to talk about other peoples business. #

Prov. 26:20 ¶ Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

If there were no listening ears there would be no talebearing tongues. - Spurgeon

• The quickest way to stop gossip, don’t listen. - Change the subject, go straight to the source, and bring them in.

Hearsay is half lies. A tale never loses in the telling. As a snowball grows by rolling, so does a story. They who talk much lie much. - Spurgeon

B. Flatterer #

• One who praises another with a view to please him to gain his favor, or to accomplish some purpose.
• They tell you what you want to hear, to gain your trust

IV. Don’t be the deceiver! (Proverbs 20:17) #

Prov. 20:17 ¶ Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.