Deceit City, Sin

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17: 9)

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3: 12, 13)

This is a well written description of what is wrong with the nature of man. He has an evil and deceitful heart. The "heart," in scripture, signifies not simply man's emotions or affections, but his mind and will, including his understanding and inner purposes.

Men should not trust their own hearts, or in themselves, for the heart, mind, and affections are all deceitful and not trustworthy.

"And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them..." (Jeremiah 5: 5-7)

All men are born into "Deceit City," in Sin Country, in the realm of the cursed and condemned. It is truly our native land. All are "by birth children of wrath." (Ephesians 2: 3) Your "habitation," says Lord God, "is in the midst of deceit."

Instead of moving to another town, sinful man continues to reside in "Deceit City," and "Sin Country," perhaps even on "Corruption Alley" at the end of "Misery Street," or perhaps near the corner of "Death Avenue" and "Lust Lane."

Whatever particular street the sinner may live on, within this wicked city, he will remain in the community of the deceived till he be delivered out of it, as was Lot and family, who were delivered from the wicked city of Sodom.

How does sin and a sinful heart deceive the citizens and residents of "sin city"? Just think of all the excuses and reasonings that these wicked citizens utter in defense of their sins and evil ways. Sinners are often heard to say -

1. "Who did I harm" by my sin? If I harmed no one, what's the big deal?
2. "Everybody else does it," so why the big deal?
3. "I can't help it."
4. "It's only natural."
5. "God's rules are too hard and unfair."
6. "I have my good points - don't they count?"
7. "I'm sorry if I hurt someone."

But all this stems from what is called "the deceitfulness of sin." Sin will cause a man to justify his wickedness, not simply to others, but to himself as well. It is an evil power that binds him from seeing and acknowledging the truth about himself and his spiritual heart disease.

Jesus warned of "the deceitfulness of riches" (Matthew 13: 22). Paul warned about "deceitful lusts" (Ephesians 4: 22). Solomon was a true witness against sinful man, saying of him - "Deceit is in the heart." (Proverbs 12: 20) He also said:

"Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." (Proverbs 20: 17)

That is the popular bread eaten by the citizens of "Deceit City," the "bread of deceit." They like the taste of it. Rather than being food that enlightens, it is food that blinds and hardens the heart; rather than being healthy food, it is poison.

"How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart..." (Jeremiah 23: 26)

Preachers who justify the wicked are prophets that are popular in "Deceit City." The message they preach is applauded and supported by the citizens.

Friend, if Lord God has shown you the evil of the city in which you dwell, spiritually speaking, will you not move and change your place of residence? I urge you to leave the city of doom, as did Lot from Sodom, to come out of Babylon (Revelation 18: 4), the city of sin and deceit, and of false religion, and come to "Regeneration Avenue," to the "New Jerusalem," to the "city of the living God." (Hebrews 12: 22-24) To come to Christ is to come to all this and much more.