Genesis 20:1 -18
Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for S arah and took her. (Genesis 20:1-2, NIV).

Deception is the act of causing someone to accept as valid what is false or invalid. In other words, to be deceptive is to have the power or ability to cause someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.

Abraham was deceptive. He told lies about Sarah being his sister twice. He made the people involved in the story to accept as valid what is false and invalid. This is not right. We should not emulate this. God wants us to be truthful and trustworthy people.

Looking at today’s passage, I felt for Abimelech. He was innocent. I also loved the way he responded to God. He argued, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands” (Genesis 20:4-5, NIV).

What if it had turned out the other way? Friend, let us learn from this and desist from deception. We should not say it worked for Abraham, it would work for me. We must not be followers of evil but of that which is good.

The Psalmist writes: “The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good” (Psalm 36:3, NIV). God expects better things from us. Shalom.

Your Turn

• Pray for yourself as you are led.

Song: Almighty God our generation shall praise Your Name.

Further Reading: Proverbs 26:26.