Have you ever had someone lie to you? How did that make you feel? How did that affect your relationship with that person or organization? What kind of damage resulted in that deception? No one likes to be deceived and the damage it causes often is long lasting. Truth blesses and deception destroys.
Truth versus Deception
Adam and Eve sinned because satan deceived them and they fell into his trap. This is what deception does; it destroys. Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “The thief (satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.[1] What is the enemy’s goal? How does he accomplish this? Satan uses lies and deception to steal, kill, and destroy.
In contrast, what does the Lord do? He brings life that is abundant. Jesus gives us more insight into the importance of truth. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.[2] We are blessed as followers of Jesus because the Lord gives us eternal life, and this is because He is truth, and that truth brings life. Remember, truth blesses but deception destroys.
The Cost of Deception
In our story, Jacob deceived his father by pretending to be his brother Esau to steal the blessing. Jacob did receive the blessing, but at what cost?
Genesis 27:41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, “Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran. 44 And stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away, 45 until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?”46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?”[3]
As you read this take note of the consequences of Jacob’s deception and the damaged relationship with his brother. Rebekah would also pay a price as her favorite son would leave and she would not see him again. What if they had just been honest?
Deception in our Lives
The Lord often gives us examples of what not to do. This is one of those stories. We can understand the consequences of deception without having to experience them ourselves. Deception destroyed family relationships in our story. The same can be true today.
Paul gives us good advice as we can use the love God gives us for good. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.[4] Truth blesses and deception destroys.
To hear more about Isaac and his blessing, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-isaac
[1-3] The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Co 13:4–6). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.