The Evil in Deception

"Deception is a sort of seduction. 

In love and war, 

adultery and 

espionage, 

deceit can only succeed 

if the deceived party is willing, 

in some way, 

to be deceived."

~Ben Macintyre, Operation Mincemeat, pg.232

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Tell the Truth

From Got Questions .  (please read the whole subject at this link and find the scripture links there also)

The last paragraph from "Got Questions" on Truth:

..."The Bible says that God delights in truth. 

“The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth,” declares the psalmist" 

(Psalm 145:18, NLT).

 Because of truth’s high value, Solomon counsels,

“Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well”

(Proverbs 23:23). 

God takes pleasure in seeing His truth reflected in the character of His children 

(Psalm 15:1–5; 51:6). 

He calls believers to worship Him in truth 

(John 4:24), 

love others in truth 

(1 John 3:18), 

and always speak the truth 

(Ephesians 4:15, 25; Zechariah 8:16)."

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Let's be careful out there and pay attention to what is real truth  :o)

God Speaks the Truth.

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The Pain of Indifference

callousness 

liars

falsehoods

pretense

bluffing

make-believe

acting

sham

fakeness

partiality

impersonal

unconcerned

unfeeling

insensitive

heartless

coldness

arrogance

lacking compassion

inhumane

ruthless.......

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Romans 12:9-21

..."Let love be without hypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; 

give preference to one another in honor; 

not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, 

serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering 

in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to 

the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, 

and weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind toward one another; 

do not be haughty in mind, 

but associate with the lowly. 

Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. 

Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 

If possible, so far as it depends on you, 

be at peace with all men.

Never take your own revenge, beloved, 

but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, 

and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; 

for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

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Rejoice in your Praise to the LORD God Almighty!

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Virtuous People Needed

"Only a virtuous people are capable of Freedom.  As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."

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-Ben Franklin

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Wisdom and Virtue Lead to Honor

Proverbs

3:16 "Long life is in her [Wisdom's] right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor."

8:18 "Riches and honor are with me [Wisdom], enduring wealth and righteousness."

13:18 "Poverty and shame will come to one who neglects discipline, but one who complies with rebuke will be honored."

21:21 "One who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honor."

22:4 "The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life."

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Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals

"In evil societies, it is difficult not to participate in evil. Human nature is to go along with the crowd. Hence, the importance of avoiding living among bad people, unless one is strong enough to work to make a bad society better."

Dennis Prager, The Rational Bible: Genesis: God, Creation, and Destruction, pg.224

1 Corinthians 15:33-34
"Do not be deceived: 
“Bad company corrupts good morals.”

Become sober-minded as you ought, 
and stop sinning; for some have 
no knowledge of God. 
I speak this to your shame."

Gratitude

"In many ways, gratitude is the most important of all the good character traits. 

It is the most indispensable trait to both happiness and goodness. 

One can neither be a happy person nor a good person without gratitude. 

The less gratitude one has, the more one sees oneself as a victim; and nothing is more likely to produce a bad person or a bad group than defining oneself or one’s group as a victim. 

Victims, having been hurt, too often believe they have a license to hurt others. 

As for happiness, if you think of all the people you know, you will not be able to name one who is ungrateful and happy. The two are mutually exclusive."

Dennis Prager, The Rational Bible, Exodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom, pg.440
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I have dealt with legalisms, cult behavior, and even perpetual victims in this blog.  

Each one has their "Red Flags" in which to be aware. 

Each one with wrong and selfish characteristics.  

Each one self-serving. 

Each one producing even more grumpiness than when they began. 

The happiness these kinds of people do have is conniving their evil plans, manipulating others, and happily hurting anyone they can. 

*Beware of any Red Flags in all of your relationships*

And make sure you continue to be a thankful, happy person even when you have been hurt by other people.  It is well worth it!

Cults, Totalitarian Regimes, Control, and Manipulation

Children, Honor Your Parents

"Yet another reason why honoring parents and long enduring civilization are connected is strong families form a major bulwark against totalitarian regimes. 

A standard feature of totalitarian regimes is the shifting of children’s loyalty and obedience from their parents to the state. One of the first things totalitarian regimes seek to do is weaken parental authority and replace it with the party or state. 

In such countries, children are encouraged to inform on their parents if they make critical comments—or even tell jokes—about government leaders or about the dominant ideology (in the modern period, that would almost always refer to communism, Nazism, or radical Islamism). 

Consequently, parents would often fear to speak openly in front of their children."

Dennis Prager, The Rational Bible, Exodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom, pg.258

Resentment is Effortless

Gratitude Needs Remembrance

"Only when people remember the good 

others have done for them 

will they have gratitude. 

Unfortunately, 

however, 

most people 

remember the bad people 

have done to them 

far longer than the good. 

Or to put it another way, 

gratitude takes effort; 

resentment is effortless."

Dennis Prager, 

The Rational Bible, Exodus: 

God, Slavery, and Freedom, pg.111

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Ephesians 4:25-32

"Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth 

each one of you with his neighbor,

for we are members of one another.

Be angry, and yet do not sin; 

do not let the sun go down on your anger, 

and do not give the devil an opportunity.

He who steals must steal no longer; 

but rather he must labor, 

performing with his own hands what is good, 

so that he will have something to share 

with one who has need.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, 

but only such a word as is good for edification 

according to the need of the moment, 

so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, 

by whom you were sealed 

for the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness and wrath 

and anger 

and clamor 

and slander 

be put away from you, 

along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, 

tender-hearted, 

forgiving each other, 

just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

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Bullies, Control, and Manipulation

"That's what bullies do, 

isn't it?

They turn the pack against you 

by setting you part 
from the group."

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Romans 12:14-21

"...Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, 

and weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind toward one another; 

do not be haughty in mind, 

but associate with the lowly. 

Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, 

be at peace with all men.

Never take your own revenge, beloved, 

but leave room for the wrath of God, 

for it is written, 

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” 

says the Lord.

“But if your enemy is hungry, 

feed him, 

and if he is thirsty, 

give him a drink; 

for in so doing you will 

heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, 

but overcome evil with good."

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The LORD Abhors Deceit

"He who permits himself 

to tell a lie once, 

finds it much easier 

to do it a second 

and a third time, 

till at length it 

becomes habitual; 

he tells lies 

without attending to it, 

and truths without 

the world's believing him." 

—Thomas Jefferson (1785)

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Psalm 5:1-7

Give ear to my words, 
O Lord,
 
Consider my groaning.

Heed the sound of my cry for help, 
my King and my God,

For to You I pray.

In the morning, O Lord, 
You will hear my voice;

In the morning I will order 
my prayer to You and eagerly watch.

For You are not a God who 
takes pleasure in wickedness;

No evil dwells with You.

The boastful shall not stand 
before Your eyes;

You hate all who do iniquity.

You destroy those who speak falsehood;

The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

But as for me, 
by Your abundant lovingkindness 
I will enter Your house,

At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
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Live for the LORD!

Be careful!

Lying can certainly lead 

to the destruction of others!

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Colossians 3

 "...Do not lie to one another, 

since you laid aside the old self 

with its evil practices, 

and have put on the new self 

who is being renewed to a true knowledge 

according to the image 

of the One who created him—..."

Proverbs 12:17-22

"...He who speaks truth tells what is right,

But a false witness, deceit.

There is one who speaks rashly 

like the thrusts of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Truthful lips will be established forever,

But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

But counselors of peace have joy.

No harm befalls the righteous,

But the wicked are filled with trouble.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal faithfully are His delight..."

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Pity for the "Lucys" of this world!

Psalm 73
"Surely God is good to Israel,

To those who are pure in heart!


But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,

My steps had almost slipped.


For I was envious of the arrogant

As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.


For there are no pains in their death,

And their body is fat.


They are not in trouble as other men,

Nor are they plagued like mankind.


Therefore pride is their necklace;

The garment of violence covers them.


Their eye bulges from fatness;

The imaginations of their heart run riot.


They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;

They speak from on high.


They have set their mouth against the heavens,

And their tongue parades through the earth.

Therefore his people return to this place,

And waters of abundance are drunk by them.

They say, 
“How does God know?

And is there knowledge with the Most High?”


Behold, these are the wicked;

And always at ease, 
they have increased in wealth.


Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure

And washed my hands in innocence

For I have been stricken all day long

And chastened every morning.

If I had said, 
“I will speak thus,”

Behold, 
I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.


When I pondered to understand this,

It was troublesome in my sight

Until I came into the sanctuary of God;

Then I perceived their end.


Surely You set them in slippery places;

You cast them down to destruction.


How they are destroyed in a moment!

They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!


Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, 
when aroused, You will despise their form.

When my heart was embittered

And I was pierced within,
Then I was senseless and ignorant;

I was like a beast before You.


Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You have taken hold of my right hand.


With Your counsel You will guide me,

And afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.


My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.


For, behold, those who are far from 
You will perish;

You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.


But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;

I have made the Lord God my refuge,

That I may tell of all Your works."

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Have You “Prostituted” Yourself?

"Metaphorically speaking, 

people “prostitute themselves” 

whenever they compromise 

their higher values, 

whether for money,

 success, 

fame, 

or anything else 

people crave. 

A prostitute sells her body for money.  

A crook sells his character for money. 

A crooked politician sells his influence for money. 

People sell their souls

—prostitute themselves—

for a whole host of desired things. 

And one might say such individuals 

are considerably worse 

than a prostitute. 

She sells her body, 

they sell their souls; 

and crooks and others 

who prostitute their values 

do greater harm to society 

than prostitutes."

Dennis Prager, 

The Rational Bible, Exodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom. Pg.471

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Proverbs 27:1, 12, 18, 19, 22

"Do not boast about tomorrow,

For you do not know 

what a day may bring forth.

A prudent man sees evil

and hides himself,

The naive proceed and pay the penalty.

He who tends the fig tree 

will eat its fruit,

And he who cares for his master

will be honored.

As in water face reflects face,

So the heart of man reflects man.

Though you pound a fool 

in a mortar with a pestle 

along with crushed grain,

Yet his foolishness

will not depart from him."

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Gratitude

"In many ways, gratitude is the most important of all the good character traits. 

It is the most indispensable trait to both happiness and goodness. 

One can neither be a happy person nor a good person without gratitude. 

The less gratitude one has, the more one sees oneself as a victim; and nothing is more likely to produce a bad person or a bad group than defining oneself or one’s group as a victim. 

Victims, having been hurt, too often believe they have a license to hurt others. 

As for happiness, if you think of all the people you know, you will not be able to name one who is ungrateful and happy. The two are mutually exclusive."

Dennis Prager, 

The Rational Bible, Exodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom. 

Pg.440

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Proverbs 28:14-28

"How blessed is the man who fears always,

But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear

Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

A leader who is a great oppressor 

lacks understanding,

But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood

Will be a fugitive until death; 

let no one support him.

He who walks blamelessly will be delivered,

But he who is crooked will fall all at once.

He who tills his land will have plenty of food,

But he who follows empty pursuits 

will have poverty in plenty.

A faithful man will abound with blessings,

But he who makes haste to be rich 

will not go unpunished.

To show partiality is not good,

Because for a piece of bread 

a man will transgress.

A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth

And does not know that want 

will come upon him.

He who rebukes a man will 

afterward find more favor

Than he who flatters with the tongue.

He who robs 

his father

or his mother

And says, 

“It is not a transgression,”

Is the companion of a man who destroys.

An arrogant man stirs up strife,

But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But he who walks wisely 

will be delivered.

He who gives to the poor will never want,

But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase."

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Be Careful: The Haughtiness of Your Mind is a Terribly Dangerous Thing

Romans 12:14-18

"Bless those who persecute you; 
bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, 
and weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind toward one another; 

----do not be haughty in mind----, 

but associate with the lowly. 

Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. 

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, 
be at peace with all men." 
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Arrogance and Pridefulness is like a never ending storm

Proverbs 11:2-3
"When pride comes, 
then comes dishonor,
But with the humble is wisdom.

The integrity of the upright 
will guide them,
But the crookedness 
of the treacherous 
will destroy them."
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Pride breeds contempt, whispering, selfishness, and haughtiness which multiplies within.

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Proverbs 18

1. He who separates himself seeks his own desire,

He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

8. The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

12. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,

But humility goes before honor.
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Find true safety in the LORD God Almighty!

10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is safe.

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RUN! RUN to HIM!

The LORD is Your Safety!

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