Guarding Against Those Who “Lie In Wait To Deceive”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
In looking at the many religious doctrines and proponents of those doctrines that existed in the first century, the apostle Paul encourages the Ephesian brethren:
“That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14 KJV; cf. Hebrews 13:9; Colossians 2:8).
The word “sleight” in the above verse, is from the Greek word, “kybeia” — from “kubos” — which means a “cube” and literally refers to “dice playing.”
It is used metaphorically for “deception” because some dice players often cheat and defraud their fellow players.
Like people who find themselves victims of professional gamblers, so are the untaught before the winds of doctrinal error.
Dishonesty and trickery are the name of the game for false teachers. They use an assortment of trickery, craftiness, and deceit to disguise their teaching as divine truth.
Brethren and friends, let us ever be on guard against those who “lie in wait to deceive,” following the inspired instructions found in 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV, looking at the example found in Acts 17:10-11, and heeding the warning found in Acts 20:28-31.