In this verse we have two things about sin. One, that it is deceitful; and two, that it hardens. As a
usual thing when we speak of sin, thoughts come to mind of that which in its very appearance is
evil, such as robbery, murder, or the like. But is this all that God counts sin? No, for in the very
beginning of the Bible we find that disobedience brought sin into the world. "For as by one man’s
disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made
righteous."

When the keeping of Eden was committed into the hands of Adam, one command was given
unto him, with the death penalty "for disobedience. Once it was given, the enemy of God and
man started to work. How could he thwart the purposes of heaven and earth’s Creator, and rob
Him of the praises of His creatures? Deceit was the approach, and a successful one it was, for
"when the woman saw that the tree Was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat" (Gen. 3:6).

So we read, "and Adam was not deceived, but the Woman being deceived was in the
transgression" (I Tim. 2:14). This was but the beginning of man’s deception by Satan. Since then
he has tried every means to turn the heart of-man from God. And how easy it is for him to
succeed for scripture plainly tells us that, "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked:who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9). Having that within us which is susceptible to that which
is wrong, Satan finds us a ready prey.

Though the devil, under one guise or another, drew the hearts of men from God under the law,
yet now in this present age under grace he seems all the more vigilant to keep people from
receiving Jesus as their Saviour, and yielding themselves unto Him as their Lord. How shameful
it is that, under the pretense of following just some simple thing at first, we are drawn away from
that blessed One of whom it is written, "neither was any deceit in his mouth" (Isaiah 53:9). The
arch enemy of all that is called truth would try and cause even those who are sheltered under the
precious blood of the cross, to dishonor that One who could say "I am the way, the truth, and the
life"(John 14:6).

The scripture gives the character of this present time" when it says, "But evil men and seducers
shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (II Tim. 3:13). If we will but take the
time to look around us we will see how true it is that deceit is so often practiced. Pick up most
any magazine or paper with advertisements in it and you-will find in large type, merits of that
particular product, intended to make you believe by catchy wording that it will do much more
than it really can. Then in very small type the limitations of that particular item might be listed.

One thing in connection with the deceitfulness of sin is the way in which it impoverishes our
spiritual growth. Perhaps the Lord has seen fit to take us through some particular trial, and when
we consider the circumstances, even as Peter did on the water, we get our eyes off the Lord and
look at what we are going through. We may be led to complain, at least to ourselves, and wish
that our lot was different. It may seem as though circumstances require us to take matters into our
own hands to better them, and all the while we are forgetting that the Lord is over everything,

and even the smallest detail in our fives is governed by Himself. Is it not a dishonor to Him and a
victory for the enemy when we are in such a state of soul? lam sure that it displeases our Lord
greatly to have even the youngest of us, His own, complain about our, lot, for He is only allowing
things to happen that will be for our good. But as we go on complaining, criticizing, belittling
others, or grasping after things for ourselves, our spiritual senses will be deadened, and
eventually reach the state of being hardened, all because we allowed ourselves, perhaps without
thinking, to be dissatisfied.

But Paul says, "we are not ignorant of his devices" (II Cor. 2:11). Young people, how are we to
know what his devices are but by the same word of God that was given unto Paul. Has anyone
ever asked you the question, "What do you get out of life, seeing you don’t smoke, drink, dance,
go to shows, etc.?" To many,, when comparing spiritual things with the things of this world, a
loss is suffered when they give up the things which they would like to have and enjoy down here.
That is the way with Satan; he would make us believe that the treasure which could be laid up in
heaven is not to be compared with the enjoyments of this earth. Many are deceived by this, not
realizing that, "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

Though it is right and proper to provide a living for yourself and family, it is a common thing for
a person to be so engrossed with work that the Word has little effect in their lives. "And these are
they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world and the
deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh
unfruitful" (Mark 4:18,19).

Many feel if they sit through a sermon or perhaps read their Bible regularly, that this is enough,
and well pleasing to God. It is true that to hear the Word is good, and it is in this way that God
speaks to us, but it is not enough. "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your
own selves" (James 1:22). Practice the truth that the Word gives to each one of us.

It may seem hard to realize, but if the enemy cannot weigh us down under sin, he will seek to
make us think that we are beyond sinning. How many sects there are which are founded upon this
lie of the devil. The Lord Jesus never said that we would become sinless in this body. It is true
that our new man cannot sin, but we never get free of the old nature down here. "If we say that
we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (I John 1:8).