MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
TOPIC: BLOODY AND DECEITFUL MEN SHALL NOT LIVE OUT HALF THEIR DAYS
TEXT:
Psalm 55:23
"But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee."
KEY VERSE:
Proverbs 12:22
"Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight."
INTRODUCTION: TWO DESTROYERS OF DESTINY
Among the many sins condemned in Scripture, David singled out two dangerous characteristics that frequently work together: bloodshed and deceit.
A bloody man destroys lives openly, while a deceitful man destroys lives secretly. One uses force; the other uses manipulation. One carries a weapon in his hand; the other hides a weapon in his mouth.
The bloody man attacks your body; the deceitful man attacks your reputation, trust, opportunities, relationships, and destiny.
Many people are careful around violent people but become careless around deceitful people. Yet some of the deepest wounds in life are not caused by bullets, swords, or physical attacks; they are caused by lies, betrayal, false accusations, manipulation, and broken trust.
David therefore declares under divine inspiration:
«"Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days."»
This is not merely about physical lifespan. It speaks of divine judgment, wasted opportunities, shortened influence, frustrated destinies, and the inevitable consequences of wickedness.
THE BLOODY MAN ATTACKS YOUR BODY
Bible Reading:
Genesis 4:8
"And Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."
The bloody man's objective is obvious: he wants to destroy, eliminate, injure, oppress, or silence his victim.
Examples of Bloody Men in Scripture
Cain Against Abel
Genesis 4:8-12
Cain could not handle God's favour upon Abel. Instead of correcting himself, he eliminated his brother.
His jealousy became murder, and his murder became a curse.
King Saul Against David
1 Samuel 18:10-11
Saul repeatedly attempted to kill David because he saw the hand of God upon him.
The throne made Saul insecure, and insecurity turned him into a bloody man.
Jezebel Against Naboth
1 Kings 21:1-16
Jezebel orchestrated Naboth's death simply because Ahab wanted his vineyard.
One man's greed became another man's funeral.
Reflection
Not every enemy wants your property. Some want your destruction. They cannot stand your progress, favour, testimony, or future.
THE DECEITFUL MAN ATTACKS YOUR REPUTATION
Bible Reading:
Genesis 39:14-20
The bloody man may kill your body, but the deceitful man attempts to kill your name.
A damaged reputation can close doors that education, talent, and hard work cannot easily reopen.
Example: Potiphar's Wife Against Joseph
Joseph refused immorality, yet Potiphar's wife accused him of attempted rape.
The innocent man became a prisoner while the guilty woman appeared innocent.
Many people today are suffering not because they committed a crime but because a deceitful person fabricated one.
A bullet may wound the flesh, but a lie can wound a reputation for years.
Cross References:
- Proverbs 22:1
- Ecclesiastes 7:1
THE DECEITFUL MAN ATTACKS YOUR TRUST
Trust is one of the most valuable assets in life.
It takes years to build and minutes to destroy.
Example: The Gibeonites
Joshua 9:3-15
The Gibeonites obtained a covenant through deception.
Everything about their appearance was staged to create a false impression.
Deceitful people specialize in gaining confidence for selfish purposes.
Not everyone who smiles at you believes in you.
Not everyone who praises you loves you.
Not everyone who follows you supports you.
Reflection
Some people enter your life because of who you are. Others enter because of what they can gain from you.
THE DECEITFUL MAN ATTACKS YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
Example: False Witnesses Against Naboth
1 Kings 21:8-13
Naboth lost everything because deceitful men agreed to tell lies.
His reputation was destroyed.
His position was destroyed.
His future was destroyed.
His life was destroyed.
One false report can deny a qualified person a promotion.
One malicious allegation can destroy a ministry.
One deliberate lie can close doors that God intended to open.
Reflection
Many opportunities have been buried, not by lack of qualification, but by the activities of deceitful people.
THE DECEITFUL MAN ATTACKS YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Example: Absalom
2 Samuel 15:1-6
Absalom never attacked David with a sword initially.
He attacked David's relationships.
Through flattery, manipulation, and political deception, he stole the hearts of the people.
Many homes, friendships, churches, and ministries have been divided by individuals who carry tales from one person to another.
A bloody man separates a man from life.
A deceitful man separates a man from people who love him.
Cross References:
- Proverbs 16:28
- Proverbs 26:20
THE DECEITFUL MAN ATTACKS YOUR DESTINY
Example: Judas Iscariot
Matthew 26:47-50
Judas disguised betrayal as affection.
He kissed Jesus while delivering Him into the hands of His enemies.
Betrayal often comes wearing the garment of friendship.
Example: Gehazi
2 Kings 5:20-27
Gehazi exchanged a prophetic future for temporary financial gain.
His deception cost him his destiny.
The ministry he could have inherited was replaced by leprosy.
Reflection
Some people do not lose destiny because of lack of prayer.
Some lose destiny because deception became their lifestyle.
WHY GOD HATES BOTH
Proverbs 6:16-19
God hates both bloodshed and deception because both are direct attacks on His creation.
The bloody man destroys what God created.
The deceitful man destroys what God established.
The bloody man sheds blood.
The deceitful man sheds reputations.
The bloody man creates widows and orphans.
The deceitful man creates suspicion, division, pain, and distrust.
Both leave destruction behind them.
This explains why David placed them in the same category of divine judgment.
THE BELIEVER'S ALTERNATIVE: TRUST GOD
David concluded the verse with these powerful words:
«"But I will trust in thee."»
The world says manipulate.
God says trust Me.
The world says lie to survive.
God says trust Me.
The world says destroy others to get ahead.
God says trust Me.
The world says use deceit to gain advantage.
God says trust Me.
What God gives through integrity may appear slow, but it is lasting.
What deception obtains quickly often ends in shame.
Joseph trusted God and became Prime Minister.
Daniel trusted God and became a national leader.
Samuel trusted God and maintained an untarnished reputation.
Truth may travel slowly, but it never loses its way.
CONCLUSION
Bloody and deceitful men may appear successful for a season, but their success carries an expiry date.
Cain fell.
Saul fell.
Jezebel fell.
Judas fell.
Gehazi fell.
Ananias and Sapphira fell.
The lesson remains the same: wickedness may prosper temporarily, but righteousness endures forever.
Do not destroy people to build yourself.
Do not lie to advance yourself.
Do not manipulate others for personal gain.
Protect your integrity because once character is lost, recovery becomes difficult.
Remember:
The bloody man attacks your body, but the deceitful man attacks your reputation, trust, opportunities, relationships, and destiny. Both are dangerous, but God is able to preserve His people from them all.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, deliver me from every spirit of bloodshed and deception.
2. Lord, let my hands be clean and my heart be pure.
3. Every attack against my reputation, scatter by fire.
4. Father, preserve my relationships from deceitful people.
5. Every opportunity stolen through false accusations, be restored.
6. Lord, expose every hidden enemy around my destiny.
7. Help me to walk in truth and integrity.
8. Preserve me from becoming a victim of bloody and deceitful men.
9. Let every conspiracy against my future fail.
10. Father, establish me in righteousness and truth all the days of my life.
Memory Verse:
Psalm 55:23
"But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee."
Your brother
Prophet Dr Abiodun Adesida
CAC IBUDO ONA ABAYỌ cacsolutioncenter@outlook.com
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