SLY – Stealthily clever; secretive rather than open; underhanded; deceitful. – The American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language

A spirit of slyness is almost the same as a spirit of deception, but is more secretive. My advanced class research materials, to my surprise, did not specifically mention a spirit of slyness, but mentioned Deception with a description as being ‘very sly’.

An experienced Christian believer should be able to discern this type of spiritual attack. How does this spirit function? That's the whole point of this teaching. This spirit is so tricky that it can fool the very strongest of Christians. Let’s continue with some real life examples.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men. – Romans 12: 17b

It is crystal clear that we are to be honest. We are not to DECEIVE. Deception is sin. That does not mean that you have to tell everyone everything that you know, but important details, you should obviate. Here is an almost perfect example of obvious deception orchestrated quite well.

A person was selling a stereo I wanted and I made him an offer even though he was not taking offers – he had a firm selling price. To my surprise, he took the offer quickly. He seemed to work at what sounded like a large warehouse judging from the name of his business.

I drove about 90 minutes after being told the stereo was in excellent condition. HOWEVER, HE WAS BEING SECRETIVE ABOUT MANY DETAILS. And, as I mention later, he was very friendly and most helpful and so was his spouse.

The stereo was being sold out of his house, there was no business location whatsoever. Of course, there was no remote control – about a $40 to $60 accessory. I thought it unusual that he had the 4 speakers hooked up and ready to play. I was surprised he was so nice while his wife might have been distracting me with her cooking skills. He played a CD and I told him to break the stereo down and I would take it.

When I got home, I realized that the speaker wires (a $50 accessory) were home-made. They were not originals and therefore were rather very short, especially for the surround sound speakers. I ordered new wires and a new remote control – about $100. I have yet to try out the stereo at home, but I did notice that a button on the control panel was very loose. I am not yet sure that it works.

Do you see it? The guy carried everything to my car for me and was as nice as could be. But in reality, I was deceived especially with the speaker wires. He tried to hide them from me by showing me other features. He never said a word about the wires. He deceived me and I hardly saw it coming. This is what the god of this world has mastered. I was tired from the trip and he probably knew it. When Jesus Christ fasted 40 days and 40 nights, THEN Satan approached him and tempted him. That’s how Satan operates – he’s nauseating, sly, secretive, underhanded, stealthily clever. He plans his moves and remember, he only knows what you’re going to do or what you’re thinking if you tell him. So be careful there.

I could tell you a thousand stories like this. I believe this one should get the point across quite well and maybe a few other real-life events may also help.

I had a person who lived next door to me who had this spiritual influence. A person who is influenced by a deceptive, slyness spirit will hide and observe your behavior without your knowledge. I caught him a number of times. I know that this is not a pleasant subject, but it is one that you should be aware of so that you are not tricked by Satan. This devil spirit works by deceiving people using any means possible, such as lying, being pleasant, appearing to do good, etc.

A spirit such as this one usually operates in combination with other devil spirits. However, a spirit of deception can function and afflict a person by itself. To give you a different example, a person who is an alcoholic can also be afflicted with a spirit of deception/slyness. You can be fooled by your personal adversary when you least expect it. A spirit of deception is very good at this.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. -- Ephesians 4: 25

What does that tell you? There are lying spirits also. The enemy covered all his bases. You must cover yours. Deception, slyness, and lying are very similar.

For the love of money is the root [system] of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. – I Timothy 6: 10

Can you imagine that the love of money is the root of ALL evil? Remember it is not just money alone – it is the LOVE of money. So where does evil originate?

If someone is only concerned about their financial gain, they will do anything in their power to extract money or finances from you. If a spirit of deception is at work, it will act very friendly and trustworthy and all the while, it could be setting you up for a major scam. This goes on every single day and you should know where it is prominent. Right on your computer. You receive e-mails from fake companies who imitate real companies such as PayPal. You may receive letters that are from major banks, but in reality, they are fakes trying to get your money or your account password. The point I'm trying to make is that you must study God's Word if you are going to get revelation concerning discerning of spirits. Many times, for some reason, God will not let you know what devil spirit is operating unless you ask Him.

Oh, I know what you are saying. These are just people who are corrupt or evil. Not all things that happen are the result of devil spirits. My, oh, my. HA! That may be what you say, but it is not what the Word of God says. Many people never realize the powerful principles expressed in the next verse.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [from on high] -- Ephesians 6: 12

We deal with people who are influenced by devil spirits every day. The Christ in us is greater so there is no need for over-concern. If you study God’s Word, you are ready for the enemy. It’s not a big deal unless you do not keep God first by your own free will.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -- Matthew 6: 33

Seek anything else first and everything will be subtracted from you.

So now we have a fairly good introduction to a spirit of deception. I have resolved my life to exposing the devil and all of his devil spirits which make up his kingdom. This takes his deception and brings it out in the open and seriously diffuses his power. I choose to do God's Will and I will continue regardless of any amount of tribulation. We as Christians should live our lives to expose evil. This teaching will be straightforward and very clear to any true Christian who really wants to know the truth. The Bible, God's Word, is the only truth in the world today. Everything else is factual and a fact can be disputed. Truth can only be witnessed to and that is what I'm doing here.

There have been a lot of stories in this teaching, but as far as I am concerned, not a sufficient amount of God’s Word and examples directly from His Word. To conclude this teaching, we will now go to as many examples as God sees fit directly from His Word pertaining to our subject. Let’s get to these examples in the New and Old Testament so that God’s Word can strengthen your mind and aid you in your understanding.

Biblical Examples of DECEPTION:

Let’s talk about the most prevalent senses deception since the beginning of time. The context is speaking about the man who is evil and his fate. This type of deception can be deadly to any person, so listen up. It’s happening right now, countless times.

Plain and simple, this verse is speaking of a whore, a prostitute, a slut, a woman without morals and having zero respect for herself. It applies to men also. Speaking of the ways of the froward man and where his paths will lead him:

For her [the prostitute’s] house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. – Proverbs 2: 18, 19

All that I remember about these verses is that there is nothing worse that a man can do but take advantage of the services of a prostitute. He not only sins against God, but he sins against his own body. I cannot understand how a man can pay for sex – it just never registered with me. But it’s so easy to cheat, isn’t it? That temptation is great. Did you ever cheat on your girlfriend or wife especially when you truly love them? Why, it eats away at you like a cancer. You can hardly live with yourself. Why? Because you were deceived by Satan himself. The only way out is to confess that sin to the one you love and it hurts them. But maybe you can go on and maybe you will receive forgiveness. Maybe. Just don’t ever do it again. All of this is the result of deception and that spirit runs rampant. Only a knowledge of God’s Word in the renewed mind will protect you from this type of attack. Remember this example – you’re going to need it.

Deception works hand in hand with a spirit of intellectualism – yes, Satan has one of them also. How many people do you know that think they know it all? Their mind seems to be closed to learning anything new. Did you know that everyone (not born again) thinks, in their own mind, that they are ALWAYS right? Did you know that John Dillinger, a mass murderer, thought he was liked and admired by everyone??!! He would tell people that they now had a great story to tell their grandchildren, when he was robbing their bank?!! He would walk in a bar and announce himself “Hey, I’m John Dillinger” expecting praise and worship from people. He really believed he was a great man. Imagine that. Now that’s what you call deception. Let’s see what the Word of God says, again in Proverbs.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear [respect] the Lord, and depart from evil. – Proverbs 3: 5 – 7

Don’t trust the world – it will ALWAYS deceive you. It’s your decision. But, in turn, trust God and His Word and not your understanding. Go to God, not man! God will direct your paths, then you will have the strength to depart from evil. Deception versus true understanding. Which one will you choose? God’s paths or your ways? Which one? You have free will to choose. Don’t let Satan deceive you.

There was a person I knew who was wrongly accused of a criminal act. The police would not help him so he was forced to hire an attorney. The charge against this man was ludicrous to put it mildly, but there was a sale on donuts, at the time, so the cops weren’t about to do any work. It cost my friend over $1,000 for about 3 hours with a mediocre attorney only interested in money. When the charges were finally dropped, my friend was relieved, but he was out $1,000. He was furious, angry and tempted by a spirit of DECEPTION that he had a right to get his money back and then some. He shoplifted about $2500 worth of merchandise and never got caught. This act of stealing eventually caught up to my friend and started to sicken him. There was nothing he could do but tell God how sorry he was, try to overcome the guilt and keep living. He was completely deceived at first, into thinking that what he was doing was justified, even though he knew what the Word of God said about stealing.

Well, my friend is fortunate that he is walking around. I decided to go to a record in Acts, chapter 5 that startles many people, even myself. You see, everyone suffers when the Word is broken by all parties. The person who wrongly accused my friend took a serious stroke and suffers brain damage. The husband is a hopeless alcoholic and my friend sometimes, still struggles with the guilt of stealing so much merchandise from random stores. NOW, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS RECORD IN ACTS. Wow. Don’t ever do wrong to a believer or you could suffer the following fate. The subject matter conveniently deals with the subject of stealing as a result of being DECEIVED BY SATAN HIMSELF. You will find it hard to believe what happened to these two believers, husband and wife.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost [Spirit], and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost [he died]: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. – Acts 5: 1 – 6

It’s some record, isn’t it? They sold a property and conspired together to keep some of the money for themselves. How did Peter know? By revelation from God. Ananias and Sapphira were DECEIVED BIG TIME to steal from the apostles. Peter told Ananias that he not only lied to the Apostles, but to God. To make quite an understatement, it was a bit much for Ananias to take and he literally dropped dead and they took him out and buried him. This is only one half of the record. Let’s continue with Acts Chapter 5.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost [she died]: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. – Acts 5: 7 - 10

Watch the wisdom of Peter. He has Sapphira trap herself in her own words. Her and her husband, inspired by Satan, were DECEIVED into conspiring together to lie and to steal from the Apostles. The consequences for both was death. Who killed them? Satan used them for his purposes and when he was done with them, he killed them. That’s how the god of this world operates – he steal, he kills, and he destroys. Sapphira also could not handle the truth with her sinful plan being exposed by Peter. Peter outright told her that the ones who buried her husband shall do the same with her. Then she fell down dead.

It’s quite a record, isn’t it? I believe it should conclude our teaching. I guess it could shake some people up and maybe that’s what some people need. Life is not a game and it is only by the grace of God that many of us are still walking around. Sinners who give place to a spirit of deception by their own free will are playing with life and death. You believers know the difference between right and wrong – between truth and deception, especially if you are studying God’s Word. By your own free will, do the right thing.

Submit [addict] yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4: 7

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