Proverbs 21.6
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”
From the beginning there have been people who seek to gain power and wealth by means of distortion and deception. This use of deceit in the pursuit of power is the way of the Enemy, who is the great deceiver.
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8.44)
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12.9)
Therefore, an essential discipline in every generation is the wisdom and discipline to recognize deception. We must be awake and aware so that we can protect ourselves against those who would mislead us. It is not an easy task, because the lies are disguised as attractive promises. They appeal to what is pleasurable. They promise easy, get-rich-quick schemes. They pitch things that look good on the surface.
We must not fall for these false promises. As this proverb warns, the reality is that such a strategy is “a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”
This is especially true in politics and religion, because both politics and religion are ideal platforms for “leaders” who seek power, have charismatic personalities, and are persuasive in their speech. People look to spiritual and political leaders for meaning and purpose, for guidance, and for help in dealing with the issues of life. Because people are looking for help, they are vulnerable to being deceived by manipulative leaders who make false promises.
“Beware of false prophets,” Jesus warned, “who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul gives us a similar warning: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”
Be a person of truth. Beware the deceivers.
