Discerning Godly Examples from Deceptive Ones Biblically
Discerning Godly Examples from Deceptive Ones Biblically
The Bible warns against imitating evil and encourages believers to follow good examples. In 3 John 1:11, the apostle John writes, "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God" [3, 4]. This principle is fundamental in discerning between godly and deceptive examples.
To distinguish between good and evil examples, one must understand the characteristics of each. The Bible describes deceit as falsehood coming from the heart, which God abhors [2]. In contrast, godly examples are marked by self-denial, as seen in Christ's example (Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8) [1].
The biblical account provides numerous examples of both godly and deceptive individuals. For instance, the story of Ahab and Jehoshaphat illustrates how divine providence distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked [6]. The Bible also teaches that God is the author of godly fear, which is described as hatred of evil and wisdom (Pr 8:13; Job 28:28; Ps 111:10) [5].
In evaluating examples, believers must be cautious of false prophets and teachers who may lead them astray. Jeremiah 27:15 warns against prophets who speak in God's name but are not truly sent by Him [10]. Similarly, Ezekiel 14:9 explains that God may permit false prophets to deceive those who are already inclined towards evil [7].
The Psalms offer insight into the character of the godly, describing them as those who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked (Ps 1:1) [8]. In contrast, the wicked are characterized by their prosperity, which can be a source of temptation and doubt for the righteous (Ps 73:1) [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Deceit — Is falsehood -- Ps 119:118. The tongue, the instrument of -- Ro 3:13. Comes from the heart -- Mr 7:22. Characteristic of the heart -- Jer 17:9. God abhors -- Ps 5:6. Forbidden -- Pr 24:28; 1Pe 3:10. Christ was perfectly free from -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Saints Free from. -- Ps 24:4; Zep 3:13; Re 14:5. Purposed against. -- Job 27:4. Avoid. -- Job 31:5. Shun those addicted to. -- Ps 101:7. Pray for deliverance from those who use. -- Ps 43:1; 120:2. Delivered from those who use. -- Ps 72:14. Should beware of those who teach. -- Eph 5:6; Col 2:8. Should lay aside”
- III John “III John 1:11 (Darby) — Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is ofGod. He that does evil has not seenGod.”
- 3 John “3 John 1:11 (NASB) — Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 15, section 19: that although Ahab hoped Jehoshaphat would be mistaken for him, and run the only risk of being slain in the battle, yet he was entirely disappointed, while still the escape of the good man Jehoshaphat, and the slaughter of the bad man Ahab, demonstrated the great distinction that Divine providence made betwixt them.] 44 (return) [ We have here a very wise reflection of Josephus about Divine Providence, and what is derived from it, prophecy, and the inevitable certainty of its accomplishment; and that when wicked men think they ”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 14:9: I the Lord have deceived that prophet--not directly, but through Satan and his ministers; not merely permissively, but by overruling their evil to serve the purposes of His righteous judgment, to be a touchstone to separate the precious from the vile, and to "prove" His people (Deu 13:3; Kg1 22:23; Jer 4:10; Th2 2:11-12). Evil comes not from God, though God overrules it to serve His will (Job 12:16; Jam 1:3). This declaration of God is intended to answer their objection, "Jeremiah and Ezekiel are but two opposed to the many prophets who announce 'peac”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 1:1: The psalmist begins with the character and condition of a godly man, that those may first take the comfort of that to whom it belongs. Here is, I. A description of the godly man's spirit and way, by which we are to try ourselves. The Lord knows those that are his by name, but we must know them by their character; for that is agreeable to a state of probation, that we may study to answer to the character, which is indeed both the command of the law which we are bound in duty to obey and the condition of the promise which we are bound in interest to fulfil. The chara”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 73:1: This psalm begins somewhat abruptly: Yet God is good to Israel (so the margin reads it); he had been thinking of the prosperity of the wicked; while he was thus musing the fire burned, and at last he spoke by way of check to himself for what he had been thinking of. "However it be, yet God is good." Though wicked people receive many of the gifts of his providential bounty, yet we must own that he is, in a peculiar manner, good to Israel; they have favours from him which others have not. The psalmist designs an account of a temptation he was strongly assaulted with”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 27:15: in my name--The devil often makes God's name the plea for lies (Mat 4:6; Mat 7:22-23; Jer 27:15-20, the test whereby to know false prophets).”