Beguile is a word that appears throughout the Bible, taking on different connotations and meanings depending on the context. In its most basic sense, beguile means to deceive, to take something by trickery and to lead astray. To understand the biblical definition of beguile, it is important to explore the many uses of the word throughout scripture.
The most common use of the term beguile in the Bible is to describe how people can lead or entice one another astray, or in other words, to deceive. This can take many forms, such as convincing someone to follow a false god or idol, or persuading someone to commit sinful actions. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul is warning the Corinthian church, saying, “But I am afraid that as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” Here, Paul is using the phrase beguile to warn the church of the deceptive tactics of Satan. Similarly, in 1 Kings 13:18, the Prophetic Man tells the king about his dream and states, “I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: For I was commanded by the Word of the Lord saying, ‘Thou Shalt Not Eat Bread, Nor Drink Water, Nor Return By The Way That Thou Camest.’” Here, the man is referring to the way that the kings’ men had beguiled him from the path set by God.
While beguile typically pertains to deceptive figures leading people astray, it also can be used to describe avenues of enticement that draw people away from God. In 1 Corinthians 10:6-7, Paul is warning the church against the sins of the past. He writes, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Here, Paul is describing how the people were beguiled by their own lust of evil things, including idol worship. The people were enticed away from doing what was right in the eyes of God. The term beguile is used to illustrate how easy it is for people to be lead astray.
Beguile can also be used to illustrate how people who claim to be followers of God may still be tempted away from His teachings. In Jude 1:4, the passage states, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to condemnation. Unholy men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here, beguile is used to describe how these false prophets were leading people astray through their twisting of the words of God. It is important to note that while beguile can be used to describe deceptive actions, it can also be used to illustrate how people can be tempted away from God without even knowing it.
Temptations
The Bible outlines various forms of temptation that may lead people astray. One of the most notable is lust, which is described in the book of James as a deadly sin. In James 1:14-15, the passage states, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Here, the term beguile is used to illustrate how people can be drawn away from righteousness by their own passions. This can be seen in the story of Adam and Eve, who were beguiled by Satan, who used the lust of their hearts to tempt them away from God.
In addition to lust, materialism can also be a source of beguilement. In Matthew 6:24, the passage says, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Here, beguile is used to describe how focusing too much on money or worldly possessions can lead one astray from their spiritual destiny. The reverence of money has been a source of spiritual hindrance since the beginning of mankind, and is a temptation that Jesus warns against.
The term beguile can also be used to describe the emotional temptations that lead to sin. In Mark 7:20-23, Jesus warns of the emotional distractions that can lead people astray. He says, “That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, Deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Here, Jesus is warning people to beware of temptations such as jealousies, pride, and foolishness, which can lead one astray from the path set by God.
The Consequences
When people are beguiled away from the path of righteousness, there can be serious consequences. In Ephesians 5: 6-7 the passage states, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” This verse is a reminder that partaking in sins or activities that entice people away from God can lead to spiritual consequences. When people succumb to the temptations of the world, they will face the punishment and wrath of God.
Beguile can also be used to describe how far people can be lead away from righteousness. In Isaiah 5:20, the passage reads, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Here, the term beguile is used to illustrate how far people can be lead astray from the teachings of God. As people accept false ideologies, they can become further and further from the path of righteousness.
Ultimately, understanding the biblical use of the term beguile is key to appreciating the importance of righteousness. Beguile is used throughout the Bible to illustrate how easy it is for people to be lead astray from the path of God. It is used to describe how false prophets and deceptive ideologies can entice people away from God, or how following the wrong passions can lead one into sin. The consequences of beguilement can be serious, and it is important that all followers of God remain aware of the dangers of beguilement.
Application
The best way to resist the beguilement of wickedness is to remain grounded in holiness. In Psalm 119:11, the passage states, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Here, the verse is emphasizing the importance of meditating on God’s word and allowing it to inform every decision. By abiding in the scripture, and allowing it to shape and direct our lives, we can avoid the beguilement of the world.
In addition to meditation, prayer can be a powerful weapon against beguilement. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, it reads, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” Here, the verse helps to remind that despite our best efforts, the devil is still at work seeking to beguile us away from the path of God. Therefore, we must remain vigilant in our prayer and our faith, so that we can stay steadfast against the beguilement of evil.
Obedience
The best way to remain bewitched away from beguilement is through obedience. In 1 Samuel 15:22-23, the passage states, “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to Obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the Word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” Here, obedience is presented as a form of protection against beguilement. By following God’s commands and trusting in Him, we can protect ourselves from the sin of beguilement.
Obedience is also important to ensure that we are not beguiled by false prophets. In Deuteronomy 13:1-4, it reads, “If there arise among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: For the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Here, Israel is warned not to be beguiled by those who would lead them astray from the path of God. By following the commands of God and remaining obedient, we can protect ourselves from the beguilement of false prophets.
Faith
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of faith in resisting beguilement. In Hebrews 11:1, it states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Here, the author is emphasizing the importance of having faith when the situation does not appear to make sense. Even though we may not understand why God’s ways are sometimes mysterious, if we trust in Him and have faith, we will be protected from the beguilement of wickedness.
In addition to faith, following the commands of God is essential for protecting against beguilement. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, the passage reads, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Here, Israel is being warned to follow the commands of God, and to let their love for Him be their foundation. When we allow our faith in God to guide us, and trust Him fully, then we will be protected from beguilement.
Ultimately, beguile is a term that appears throughout the Bible, and is used to describe how
