Deceived (4105) (planao from plane which describes "a wandering" and gives us our English word "planet") means literally made to wander and so to go (active sense) or be led (passive sense as of sheep in Mt 18:12-13) astray. Note that in this passage planao is in the passive voice which indicates an outside force or influence (e.g., the unregenerate heart in unbelievers in this context, but in other contexts referring to the power of sin rendered ineffective but unfortunately still latent in believers) is causing the deception that leads one down the wrong path. The present tense indicates the sad truth that unsaved men and women are continually being led astray from God, even to the point that they refuse to believe that in the end they will be judged by Him (cf notes Re 20:11; 12; 13; 14; 15). notes Re 20:11; 12; 13; 14; 15). Literal wandering is described in Hebrews 11:38 (note). Spiritual wandering is described in (1 Peter 2:25 - note) In spiritual terms, planao means to be made to err from the right way, the highway of truth and holiness. Straying in the spiritual sense occurs when one does not adhere to the truth (James 5:19) and/or forsakes the right way (see 2 Peter 2:15 note) Scripture teaches us that various things or classes of people can deceive a person including the following... Signs, sorcery, pretenders coming in Jesus' name (Mt 24:4, 5, Mark 13:5, 6, Luke 21:8), False teachers (1Jn 2:26, 3:7), False Christs and false prophets (Mt 24:11,24, see note on Jezebel the false prophetess Re 2:20-note), Not understanding the Scriptures or the power of God (Mt 22:29, Mark 12:24), One's own self (evil flesh) ("self deception" 1Co 6:9, 1Co 15:33, Gal 6:7, Titus 3:3-note, 1 John 1:8) One's heart (synonymous with evil flesh - Hebrews 3:10-note) Evil men and imposters (2Ti 3:13-note), The devil (Rev 12:9-note, Rev 20:3-note; Re 20:8-note;Re 20:10-note),Rev 20:3; 20:8; 20:10), Babylon (Revelation 18:23-note) The Antichrist's false prophet (Rev 13:14-note, Re 19:20-note) Jesus uses planao several times to describe one who is mistaken (Matthew 22:29, Mark 12:24, 12:27) Matthew Henry writes that Man in this his degenerate state is of a straying nature, thence compared to a lost sheep; this must be sought and brought back, and guided in the right way, Ps 119:176. (See Spurgeon's Note) He is weak, and ready to be imposed upon by the wiles and subtleties of Satan, and of men lying in wait to seduce and mislead. Clarke writes that deceived is erring - wandering from the right way in consequence of our ignorance, not knowing the right way; and, in consequence of our unbelief and obstinacy, not choosing to know it. Basically deception refers to a deliberate misrepresentation of the truth, especially in moral and spiritual matters, in order to purposely mislead another person. In this sense, the truth can be misrepresented first of all by our own sinful heart (which is the control center of our character and our moral and spiritual life) (Jer 17:9, Hebrews 3:10 [note], Js 5:19, 1Jn 1:8), by false prophets (Jer 29:8, Mt 24:4-5, Revelation 13:14 [note]), by false teachers (Eph 5:6 [note], 2Pe 2:14 [note], 1Jn 2:26, 1Jn 3:7, 2Jn 1:7, Jezebel Re 2:20-[note]) and of course especially by the ultimate "Deceiver", our old Adversary, the consummate Liar (Jn 8:44), Satan himself (see Re 12:9, 20:3, 8, 10 see notes Re 12:9, 3, 8, 10). Satan’s objective is to deceive sinners into ever greater sin and ungodliness. Deceivers are very good as these illustrations from Today in the Word emphasizes... Despite the mind-numbing brutality of the Joseph Stalin regime in the Soviet Union, his propaganda machine did its job well. Many Russians hailed him as a hero and a savior, including a young school girl who was chosen to greet Stalin on one occasion. Years later, this woman recalled Stalin taking her onto his lap, smiling like a loving father. She was starry-eyed, and she cherished the moment for many years. Only later did she learn that during this period, Stalin had her parents arrested and sent to the labor camps, never to be seen again. ><>><>><> In late September 1864 Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was leading his troops north from Decatur, Alabama, toward Nashville. But to make it to Nashville, Forrest would have to defeat the Union army at Athens, Alabama. When the Union commander, Colonel Wallace Campbell, refused to surrender, Forrest asked for a personal meeting, and took Campbell on an inspection of his troops. But each time they left a detachment, the Confederate soldiers simply packed up and moved to another position, artillery and all. Forrest and Campbell would then arrive at the new encampment and continue to tally up the impressive number of Confederate soldiers and weaponry. By the time they returned to the fort, Campbell was convinced he couldn't win and surrendered unconditionally! ><>><>><> “Marathoner Loses by a Mustache.” So read the headline of a recent Associated Press story. It appeared that Abbes Tehami of Algeria was an easy winner of the Brussels Marathon—until someone wondered where his mustache had gone! Checking eyewitness accounts, it quickly became evident that the mustache belonged to Tehami’s coach, Bensalem Hamiani. Hamiani had run the first seven-and-a-half miles of the race for Tehami, then dropped out of the pack and disappeared into the woods to pass race number 62 on to his pupil. “They looked about the same,” race organizers said. “Only one had a mustache.” It’s expected that the two will never again be allowed to run in Belgium. ><>><>><> Deception has been a part of warfare since the Trojan horse. During WWII, it became high art. Members of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops used special “weapons” like dummy planes, tanks, antiaircraft guns, and amplified recordings that created war sounds to fool the German high command. To enable a combat unit to change positions or even attack when the Germans thought it had not moved at all, the 1800 men of the 23rd impersonated entire divisions. They would move in at night, change insignias, and inflate their rubber decoys. Meanwhile, the troops they were replacing sneaked away. Such deception was a major factor in the success of the Allies’ D-Day invasion, as the German 15th Army waited elsewhere for an assault that never came. How dangerous is deception? Dennis Heatherington explains that it could be deadly... A person on railroad tracks hear a train approaching, looks behind him, sees the train and then freezes on the tracks in fear. The train “outruns” its sound—which means that by the time you hear it, it is virtually on top on you. If a train engineer sees you on a track, he or she will blow the whistle. Often it takes more than one blast to get the average person’s attention, say train engineers. But trains can’t stop the way motor vehicles can. A freight train has about 100 cars, weights 12 million pounds, and takes a full mile to stop. An optical illusion happens with tracks. When you see a train coming, it looks as if it is traveling half as fast, and is two times farther away from you than it really is. For example, if it is going 60 miles per hour and is half a mile away, it looks as if it is traveling 30 mph and is one mile away. (Operation Lifesaver) Abraham Lincoln said... You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. Walter Scott Oh! what a tangled web we weave When first we practise to deceive! William S. Plumer No wickedness on earth is more common than the various forms of deceit. Expositor's Bible Commentary writes that... Those who deceive others impair, in so doing, their sense of the distinction between truth and falsehood, and thus weaken their power of resistance to self-deceit and to imposition by others. (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing) Peter writes that prior to salvation we were continually straying (planao - being led astray) like sheep, but now (we) have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of (our) souls." (see note 1 Peter 2:25) This miraculous transition from walking in darkness to walking in the light, should motivate every believer to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel (submit to and obey the government, do good deeds, don't malign, don't quarrel, be gentle and show meekness to all men, including the foolish, deceived, disobedient, etc!) Clarke adds that It is a true saying, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” Such persons are proof against conviction, they will not be convinced either by God or man. Although deceived in context describes who we once were (unbelievers), do not be deceived for believers can still fall prey to the wiles of deception! So beware! James writes Do not be deceived (planao - present imperative + a negative = literally stop being deceived - indicating that deception was already a fact), my beloved brethren. (James 1:16) Paul warns the Galatians that when dealing with one caught in any trespass, they must be careful for if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives (not planao but phrenapato) himself. (Gal 6:3). James writes that If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives (not planao but apatao) his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. (Ja 1:26) Clearly, the tragic truth is that the one who is deceived does not even know he or she is deceived! Given the "deceptive nature" of deception, it is not surprising that the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness (not planao but apate) of sin. (see note Hebrews 3:13) Sin will deceive you. You are not getting away with that "little sin"...in fact your heart is being gradually hardened by it (and you don't even realize it!) Kill sin or it will kill you. Paul goes on to warn the Corinthians of the danger of deception writing Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (the spiritual sphere of salvation where God rules as King over all who belong to Him by faith)? Do not be deceived (planao - stop being deceived) neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1Cor 6:9-10) This list convicts us all...who among us does not covet from time to time? Occasional sins is not what Paul is referring to. Don't be deceived. If an individual habitually and as manner of their lifestyle commits these sins, Paul says they are not saved. Ryrie agrees writing that People whose lifestyles exhibit wickedness, not fruit, show they are unsaved and will, therefore, not inherit the kingdom of God. (The Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody Publishers) In a similar warning to the Galatians Paul writes Do not be deceived (present imperative + a negative = literally stop being deceived) God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Gal 6:7-8) Here are the 39 uses of planao in the NT... Matthew 18:12 "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray (passive voice), does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 18:13 "And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken (you err, you go astray) not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God. Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. 5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. Matthew 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Mark 12:24 Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures, or the power of God? Mark 12:27 "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken." Mark 13:5 And Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. 6 "Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead many. Luke 21:8 And He said, "See to it that you be not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is at hand'; do not go after them. John 7:12 And there was much grumbling among the multitudes concerning Him; some were saying, "He is a good man"; others were saying, "No, on the contrary, He leads the multitude astray." John 7:47 The Pharisees therefore answered them, "You have not also been led astray, have you? 1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; (present imperative + a negative = stop something that is in process) neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived; (present imperative + a negative = stop something that is in process): "Bad company corrupts good morals." Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived; (present imperative + a negative = stop something that is in process), God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 2 Timothy 3:13 (note) But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Titus 3:3 (note) For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. Hebrews 3:10 (note) "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART; AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS'; Hebrews 5:2 (note) he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; Hebrews 11:38 (note) (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. James 1:16 Do not be deceived; (present imperative + a negative = stop something that is in process), my beloved brethren. James 5:19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back 1 Peter 2:25 (note) For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 2 Peter 2:15 (note) forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 2:26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive (present imperative + a negative = stop something that is in process) you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; Revelation 2:20 (note) 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. Revelation 12:9 (note) And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 13:14 (note) And he (false prophet) deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. Revelation 18:23 (note) and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your (Babylon's) sorcery. Revelation 19:20 (note) And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. Revelation 20:3 (note) and threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. Revelation 20:8 (note) and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. Revelation 20:10 (note) And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. There are 81 uses of planao in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) (Ge 21:14; 37:15; Ex 14:3; 23:4; Deut. 4:19; 11:28; 13:5; 22:1; 27:18; 30:17; Jdg. 16:10, 13, 15; 2Ki 4:28; 21:9; 2Chr. 33:9; Job 5:2; 6:24; 12:23, Job 12:24, 25; 19:4; 38:41; Ps. 58:3; 95:10; 107:4, 40; 119:110, 176; Pr 1:10; 9:12; 10:17; 12:26; 13:9; 14:22; 16:10; 21:16; 28:10; 29:15; Is 3:12; 9:16; 13:14; 16:8; 17:11; 19:13, 14; 21:4, 15; 22:5; 28:7; 29:24; 30:20, 21; 35:8; 41:10, 29; 44:20; 46:5, 8; 47:15; 53:6; 63:17; 64:5; Jer. 23:13, 32; 31:9; 50:17; Ezek. 13:10; 14:9, 11; 33:12; 34:4, 16; 44:10, 13, 15; 48:11; Dan. 6:22; Hos. 2:14; 4:12; 8:6; Amos 2:4; Mic. 3:5). Below are some uses of planao in the Lxx... Psalm 119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not gone astray (planao) from Thy precepts. Spurgeon comments: He was not snared, for he kept his eyes open, and kept near his God. He was not entrapped and robbed, for he followed the King's highway of holiness, where God secures safety to every traveller. He did not err from the right, and he was not deterred from following it, because he referred to the Lord for guidance, and obtained it. If we err from the precepts, we part with the promises; if we get away from God's presence, we wander into the wilds where the fowlers freely spread their nets. From this verse let us learn to be on our guard, for we, too, have enemies both crafty and wicked. Hunters set their traps in the animal's usual runs, and our worst snares are laid in our own ways. By keeping to the ways of the Lord we shall escape the snares of our adversaries, for His ways are safe and free from treachery. Proverbs 10:17 He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray (Hebrew = taah = to err; Lxx = planao). Proverbs 12:26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray (Hebrew = taah = to err; Lxx = planao). Proverbs 21:16 A man who wanders (Hebrew = taah = to err; Lxx = planao - present tense = habitually) from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. Proverbs 28:10 He who leads the upright astray (Hebrew = shagah = to go astray, to err; Lxx = planao) in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good. Jeremiah 23:13 "Moreover, among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.