p. 4 | THE EVIL OF DECEIT by George C. Tenney

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Nov 21, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 45.

THE EVIL OF DECEIT.

By George C. Tenney

REAL success never can be gained by deceit. This fact was illustrated in the life and character of Jacob. The name, Jacob, means "supplanter," as one who would take any undue advantage in order to accomplish his desire. His brother Esau was the older of the two, but the Lord had ordained that Jacob should have the prestige. Jacob was impatient to make sure the benefits of the position, and through intrigue, encouraged by his mother, he sought to work out the problem himself. He took advantage of his brother's hunger and bought his birthright for a mess of pottage. Again he personated his brother in a way to get the blessing that pertained to the elder son from his blind father. But his own scheming to hasten the acquirement of that which would have come to him legitimately only brought trouble and delay. At Peniel, when he had become an old man, as we would reckon, as he was returning to Canaan after a long exile, he was confronted by the approach of his angry brother. Then the wickedness of his former deceitfulness came vividly before him, as he was apparently face to face with dire vengeance. In his extremity he sought God, and wrestled all night for relief. Deep penitence, real sorrow for sin, and a determination by the help of the Lord to put away all guile, brought victory. He was reconciled to his brother and his brother was reconciled to Him. He received such blessing as he had never received before, and went on his way rejoicing. And it was all because he put away the spirit of guile, and trusted God to manage His own purpose. If God have a purpose with any one of us, it is better to let him work it out. Christ was Himself without deceit; He commended Nathaniel because He saw in him "an Israelite indeed," in whom there was "no guile." Such, then, is the character that will stand the test of the judgment of God. "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." Zeph. 3:13. These are days of deceit in every department of life—in business, in politics, in society, and in religion. "The care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word," even in those who have received it. So it becomes necessary even for the disciples of Christ to "exhort one another daily while it is called to-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." G.