RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 23 JULY 2023

LESSON FORTY SEVEN (47)
TOPIC: BEWARE OF DECEIT

BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 13:6-10

[6]Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,

[7]who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.

[8]But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

[9]Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him

[10]and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

MEMORY VERSE: “Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;” 1Peter 2:22 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: The word deceit is a Greek word ‘Dolos’ derived from ‘Dello’ meaning to bait; this literally refers to a fishhook, trap, or trick which are various forms of deception. Deceit is a deliberate attempt to mislead, trick, snare, or bait other people, by telling lies. Baiting the trap is an attempt to catch the unwary victim. It is a desire to gain an advantage or preserve a position by deceiving others; the intentional misleading or beguiling of another. In the Scriptures, it is categorised with other forms of wickedness, such as cursing (Ps.10:7), hatred (Prov.26:24), theft, covetousness, adultery, and murder (Mk.7:21-22; Rom.1:29).

OUTLINES:
1. ATTRIBUTES OF DECEIVERS
2. BELIEVERS’ DISPOSITION TO DECEIT

1. ATTRIBUTES OF DECEIVERS
Deceit describes the quality of the man who has a tortuous and a twisted mind; one who cannot act in a straightforward way; someone who stoops to devious and underhand methods to get his own way; a person who never does anything except with some kind of ulterior motives. Deceit is an attempt to trap or to trick and thus involves treachery. Deceit is a lie (Ps.119:118).
The Bible clearly states that:
1. Some workers are deceitful (2Cor.11:13; Jer.14:14; 23:26).

2. Hypocrites and false witnesses devise deceit (Job 15:34-35; Prov.12:17).

3. The wicked are full of deceit (Rom.1:29). They devise it (Ps.35:20; Prov.12:5); utter it (Ps.10:7; 36:3); work it (Prov.11:18); increase in it (2Tim.3:13); use it to each other (Jer. 9:5); delight in it (Prov. 20:17).

4. Deceit is a characteristic of the antichrist (2Jn.7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Have you once met a deceitful person? Describe their personality.

2. BELIEVERS’ DISPOSITION TO DECEIT
Deceit comes from the heart (Mk.7:21-22). It is one of the characteristics of an unregenerated heart (Jer.17:9). Deceit leads to lying (Prov.14:25); often accompanied by fraud and injustice (Ps.10:7; 43:1). Hatred is often concealed by deceit (Prov.26:24-26).
God abhors deceit (Ps.5:6). Our Lord Jesus Christ was also free from deceit (Isa. 53:9; 1 Pet.2:22) and believers must equally abhor it to enjoy abundant life in Christ (1 Pet.3:10; Ps.24:3-4). We must intentionally purpose against deceit and avoid it (Job 27:4; 31:5); pray for deliverance from those who are deceptive (Ps.43:1; 120:2; Ps.72:14); beware of those who teach it (Eph.5:6; Col.2:8); and lay aside every appearance of deceit (2 Col 4:2; 1 Thess.2:3).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: How can we protect ourselves from deceivers?

CONCLUSION: There is blessedness in being free from deceit (Ps.24:4-5; 32:2) and there is punishment for being deceitful (Ps.55:23; Jer.9:7-9).

QUESTIONS:
* What are the attributes of deceit and deceivers?
* What should be the believers’ disposition to deceit?

FURTHER READING: MON: Matt.26:4; TUE: 1Pet.3:10; WED: Rom.1:29; THUR: Mk.7:21; FRI: Acts 13:10; SAT: 2Cor.12:16; SUN: 1Thess.2:3.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five things you will do to avoid being deceived by people (2×5=10 marks).