guile
Guile is deceitful intent or dishonest speech used to mislead others. In Scripture it is treated as sinful and contrary to truthfulness and sincerity.
At a Glance
Guile is deceitful intent or dishonest speech used to mislead others. In Scripture it is treated as sinful and contrary to truthfulness and sincerity.
Description
Guile is the quality of being deceptive, crafty, or false in order to mislead. In biblical usage, it commonly refers to dishonest speech, concealed motives, or manipulative behavior rather than merely cleverness. Scripture treats guile as a moral fault that belongs to fallen human conduct and opposes the truthfulness, sincerity, and uprightness God requires. The Psalms bless the one in whose spirit there is no deceit, the New Testament calls Christians to put away guile, and Christ Himself is held forth as the sinless example in whose mouth no deceit was found. The safest summary is that guile is sinful deception in heart, speech, or action, and believers are to reject it in pursuit of honest and holy living.