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Paul condemned Elymas, the sorcerer, for being “full of all kinds of deceit and trickery.” (Acts 13:10) Peter urges us: Rid yourselves of all deceit. (1 Peter 2:1) Also: “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” (1 Peter 3:10)
And John says: Nothing impure will ever enter heaven, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful. (Revelation 21:27)
Envy
Jesus, Paul, James, and Peter all warn us against envy.
Jesus: Envy makes a man unclean. (Mark 7:21-23)
Paul: Envy is an act of the sinful nature. Those who envy do not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) Again Paul: “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:26)
James: Bitter envy and selfish ambition is earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil. (James 3:14-15) And Peter: Rid yourselves of all envy. (1 Peter 2:1)
Evil Thoughts
Jesus tells us that evil thoughts are another one of those things which make a man unclean. (Matthew 15:18-19) And he provides us with this clear insight: “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks…. the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” (Matthew 12:34-35)
Paul in a similar vein, says: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:5-6)
Folly
Jesus rebuked folly. He tells us it is yet another of those sins of the spirit which make a man unclean. (Mark