[Greek] ἀπάτη (apatē), [Latin] deceptio, [Latin] seductio, [Latin] fallacia, [Latin] desideria error: deception, delusion, deceit, enticement, illusion; Mt. 13:22, Mk.4:19, Eph.4:22, Col.2:8, 2Thess.2:10, Heb.3:13, 2Pet.2:13
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means delusion, fraud, deceit, treachery, and cheating.
Polybius’ Histories 2.56.12: “The power of carrying an audience is the chief excellence, because the object is to create illusion.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus 230: “Deceit on the one part matches on the other, and gives pain instead of pleasure for reward.”
Sophocles’ Antigone 617: “The deception comes to one who is wholly unware until he burns his foot on a hot fire.”
Antiphon’s On The Choreutes 6.7: “They have in fact treated their speech for the prosecution as nothing but an opportunity for malicious falsehood.”
Sophocles’ Philoctetes 929: “What treachery you have done to me! How thoroughly you have deceived me!”
Greek mythology: Apate is the Greek goddess of deceit, fraud, trickery, deception, and guile. The corresponding Roman goddess is Fraus.
New Testament: This term means lure, deceit, and seduction. In the parable of the weeds, the seed sown among thorns is one who hears the words but the lure of riches choke the word. Paul states that one should put away the old self (former life) corrupted by deceitful desires. One must not be captivated with an empty and seductive philosophy based on human traditions. God will send a deceiving power to bring a strong delusion in one’s heart. We must be encouraged so that one must not grow hardened by the deceit of sin. These people [false teachers] suffer [receive their reward] for their deceits.
Scripture:
“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke him from bearing good fruit.” Mt.13:22
This parable refers to when world anxiety and riches prevent one from acting on the word.
“That you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires.” Eph.4:22
New life in Christ is contrasted with the previous Gentiles’ pagan and sinful way of life.
“See to it that no one captivate you with an empty seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.” Col.2:8
Paul warns that many will be influenced by worldly and cultural values opposed to Christ. (Does this already sound familiar?)
Conclusion:
Deceive, deception, seduction, seductive, fallacy, desire, error
You know this is an important term (concept) when you have a goddess named after deception and trickery.
The lure of riches can be a fallacy: [Latin] fallacia
Paul calls us to put away the older self of deceitful desires: [Latin] desideria error (desires of error)
Every wicked deceit: [Latin] seductio (which often can become enticing)
Deceit of sin: [Latin] fallacia
In a sense, many of us are already like little pagans, worshipping various gods (power, money, technology, social media, etc.). Many of us are now bowing our heads down in homage to our smartphones.
Update: President Biden has created the illusion of being a uniter, but is now accusing MAGA supporters and Republicans of being enemies of the state.
President Biden is deceptive in being unwilling to talk about his policy failures.
Mainstream media and social media match the deceit in following the talking points of the Biden administration.
Abortion rights supporters are deluding themselves in ignorance of the serious moral and spiritual consequences of abortion.
We currently have a human tradition (culture of death) where it is legal and perhaps fashionable to have an abortion.
Racial justice equity advocates are unwilling to see the devastating consequences of their actions resulting in increased crime.
More and more people not being deceived (their eyes are being opened up) by the FBI’s obstruction, misinformation practices, and political bias.
It is now a fallacy to believe that will we not face any potential accusations or charges of animosity. In the this current cancel culture, one needs to be careful in what one says. Otherwise, one will be labeled or categorized as intolerant, hateful, or extreme. In this deceitful world, there are some who are looking for a reason to charge you with some accusation. Yet, reputations can be ruined or injured often depending on the character of witnesses or accusers.
Next post: being accused and placed in a category