Sermon On Deception

Christopher James Gilbert, an American philosopher, better known by his pseudonym Criss Jami once remarked: “Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.” Galatians 5:16-21 reminds us: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Wikipedia defines deception as “An act or statement which misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept or idea that is not true. It is often done for personal gain or advantage.” Proverbs 19:9 states: “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.” One of the Ten Commandments given by God states: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." As such, it is generally considered a sin in Christianity. Galatians 6:7-8 warns: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Deception has created many conflicting opinions in psychological studies. Although it is known to be wrong and often harmful, as it conceals the truth of any given situation, some would argue that there are two sides to every coin and as such, it could be considered beneficial in certain ways. They believe that if a false idea helps to encourage self-motivation in someone feeling low to tackle something possibly considered as totally unrealistic, even though it may never be accomplished, it can provide an increase in their determination. However, they refuse to admit that if failure is encountered, this could do more harm than good. Others may appear to apply deception compassionately. If a person is suffering from a terminal illness and the true prognosis is withheld, does that act in fact help the patient? Possibly not. John 16:13 confirms: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

She called herself Madame Zana, and deceitful could be considered her middle name. Even though it is of little consequence, her gender was actually male and she attested to be an Experienced Fortune Teller. She would dress in female Victorian-style attire to add impact to her presentation with a heavy veil to conceal her true identity. After much searching for the ideal premises situated in a good location, she rented a small booth on a pier at a well-known seaside resort which attracted many day and holiday visitors.

Fortune-telling has long been affiliated with the practice of divination. It commonly encompasses predictions of a possible supernatural entity that relate specifically to a person's future life. It is often attained by employing methods of clairvoyance, palmistry, a crystal ball or others. These may include acclaimed psychic powers.

However, there is much opposition to its practice in Christianity and some other religions. These are supported by prohibitions stated in scripture concerning divination. Deuteronomy 18:10-13 reminds us: “There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.”

It is often considered a lucrative business by those seeking easy money, as it is well known that many people wish to have an informed insight into their destiny in life. There are, of course, those who treat it solely as a fun-based holiday activity without much belief or cognisance, but there are unfortunately others who treat it extremely seriously and firmly believe that what they are being told is actually true. Leviticus 19:31 warns us: “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”