Baiting the Hook
“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit” John 1:47 NASB
Deceit – The Greek word is dolos. We are probably most familiar with the translation “guile,” but neither guile nor deceit really captures the flavor of this word. The word is used in classic Greek to describe bait for fishing and also for the Trojan horse and other disguised traps. It means any clever device or statement used to snare or deceive. In this verse, Yeshua is commenting on the straightforward honesty of Nathaniel, a man whose character was transparent. Interestingly, this same word is used to describe the character Jacob lacked before God altered his life. Nathaniel was no Jacob.
We don’t know many Nathaniels. Most people have what the business world calls “a hidden agenda.” I guess we learned that from the serpent. Most people play the game of dolos. Investments, negotiations, relationships, dating, even common conversation seems filled with intentional cunning devices designed to trap us. An honest man is very hard to find.
But followers of the Way are told in no uncertain terms that dolos is not to be part of their character. Paul lists dolos as one of the traits of those who are under God’s condemnation. Peter tells us that believers must put aside all dolos and turn their lives over to God. Deceit is not God’s way and it is not to be part of God’s people.
Most believers are perfectly aware of this requirement. Nevertheless, we often let our tongues practice what we do not preach. A little omission here, a small exaggeration there, a tiny insinuation or a carefully guarded implication. After all, we say, we have to get by in a world full of liars and cheats. Better not be too honest or someone will take advantage of you. As one man once said to me, “You can’t really expect me to show compassion on all my customers. Why, I would go out of business.” Do you suppose that God doesn’t know all this? Yet He says, “Don’t set traps with bait.” Why? Because God’s character is at stake in your behavior and He is in control of this entire world. God wants Nathaniels, not Jacobs. To use dolos as a means of protection is to dishonor the God of emunah, of steadfast reliability.
Now what would you rather have: a subterfuge of your own design or the reliability of the Lord at your back?
Topical Index: deceit, guile, dolos, Nathaniel, Jacob, John 1:47
I have just written a paper than does treatise as to the reason why people lie. Not any great mystery; the truth is just something many are too lazy and wicked to address because it would require change.
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine. His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed
Fear is not an excuse that will cut it with the Almighty. He expects a return on His investment. I doubt that Y’shuah will proclaim on that fateful day: “Well done good and faithful servant, you CYOA.”
“Fear is not an excuse that will cut it with the Almighty. He expects a return on His investment. I doubt that Y’shuah will proclaim on that fateful day: “Well done good and faithful servant, you CYOA.” ”
Thank you, Douglas. This is a quote I will add to my archives. I may print it and post it on the wall near my desk. A reminder I desperately need.
Well, to be “perfectly honest”- to lay my soul “bare” before you,- I would have to admit to all,- I am a *gasp*- sinner. Carl, -you sir, are not “perfect.” I look into the mirror of God’s word and I see something. I see a sinner who is loved and loved greatly. My Father loves me- just as I am.
What can I possibly do (please let me know) to cause God to love me more? – and what may I do to cause Him to love me less? He loves me- just as I am. Does God love us because we are valuable? Or are we valuable because God loves us? (Yes!)- John 3.16,17
It is (and ever more will be) the goodness of God that leads us (all) to repentance and the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. -So what’s in your wallet?.. er.. heart?
Carl, ( I may only speak for my self) Is your heart right with God? – washed in the crimson flood? cleansed and made holy? humble and lowly?- right in the sight of God?
Oh brothers! Sisters!- When I received this and knew this (yes, -experientially) as belonging to me ~ *There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!* (Romans 8.1) Is this “good news?” Is this gospel? Is this gospel according to what God says? Is this a *promise of God? Does, (as our Bible states)- the blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God (and God the Son) cleanse us from all sin?- (1 John 1.7) And do we (who are His) now have “access” to the very throne of God? ~ What shall we say to these things? ~ The first word that comes to my mind (also) is wow! I, (the sinner) am forgiven! But wait!!- There is more..
Oh!- Do you know this? Full forgiveness? Grace and mercy, love and liberty! Brought to you and to me by our Sponsor, the ONE who died upon the execution stake, the cross (the tslav if you are Jewish) of Mt. Calvary.
Yes, Rabbi Sha’ul- this IS a statement “worthy” of all acceptation- Christ Jesus IS come into the world to save sinners- of whom I am chief. ~ (1 Timothy 1.15) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost ~ (me).
I (too) once was lost, but now am found- was blind -but now I see. I belong to Him. The LORD is ‘my’ Shepherd! Lock-stock-barrel- the good, the bad- the ugly- all of me belongs to and is p-owned by Him. I have given (and give daily) my life (in its entirety) to Him. He “owns” me. Absolute and total surrender to the LORDship of the ONE who owns it all.
Whose world is it anyway? – and Who gave unto this carbon unit- His first breath? And Who gives unto us our “daily breaths?” I know Who this is! and I will freely, fully and forever acknowledge my ADONAI. I (now) realize and recognize; Friends, ~ it is the LORD!! ~
And.. (yes, there is more- SO much more!!) for this is a living, growing “relationship”- the ‘story’ of this man is not yet finished nor final. I am still breathing and still have much life left in me. The high praises of God will be in my mouth and a two-edged sword will be in my hand, for my heart is fixed- I (too) will sing and give praise, I will lift my voice!
Yeshua healed ten lepers and I was one of the ten, but I will be the one to return to my Near-Kinsman Redeemer and give unto ADONAI (my LORD) the glory due unto His Name, but there is a problem..- I could never praise Him enough!
This is the purpose of eternity!! It will take all of us-all of eternity- to give unto the LORD the glory due unto His Name! Is my heart not only “clean?”- but now “full and running over?” Yes,- it is so.
Is this “all?” In no way. There is more.. So much more *in Christ!* Are you (also) *in? ~ Let the redeemed of the LORD say so! ~ (Psalm 107.2)
Is it (he inquired) ~ a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD and to sing praises unto His Name? ~ It is. ~ I will bless the LORD at all times..-His praise shall continually be in my mouth- O magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His Name together!
~ Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing ~
What is CYOA?
Yah:?
I assume it is to “Cover Your Own A**”
I remember a scientific study which showed that as much as 2/3 of what the average person says in a day is explaining themselves or their actions to others. It’s insecurity, it’s a fig leaf. It’s the same thing Adam and Eve did verbally and physically in the garden. Our sin, our character defects, our most shameful areas must not be exposed.
We need to explain why we acted a certain way, or said a certain thing – so that people will know we are actually good, sincere, and improving. If a lie serves those purposes, then we’ll often use it.
Dallas Willard wrote about how pleasureful it is to watch a child or puppy gleefully dancing around — because their inside matches the outside, there is no separation between the two.
“We don’t know many Nathaniels.”
Hmmm
Well I know one Nathaniel pretty well, the 19th century American writer called Nathaniel Hawthorne
Who created a Christ figure of sorts; a Hero called Hester Prynne
Who was more at Home in the forest with the native American Indians than
With most American white folk at that time (Colonial American Puritans)
Hester was a lot like the Man who said:
“Go like lambs to a wolf-pack
No staff in your hand
No sandals on your feet
No knapsack on your back
No chatter on the journey
And the same clothes for day and night, summer and winter”
Hawthorne tells us that Hester wore the same Scarlet Letter A emblazoned on her dress everyday
“A little omission here, a small exaggeration there, a tiny insinuation or a carefully guarded implication”
This is just another manifestation of a sort of witchcraft. By witchcraft, a means to control someone else, to overpower them, oftentimes using drugs. In this case, the drug of choice is semantics and rhetoric. Politicians, lawyers, and even modern day “prophets” use the same system.
Thank you for causing us to think, and hopefully, to apply it to ourselves before hurling it out there. I know it has given me pause to measure myself according to the plumb line of His Word.