The term "sly" is often associated with cunning, deceit, and craftiness. In the context of the Bible, these characteristics are generally viewed negatively, as they are contrary to the virtues of honesty, integrity, and transparency that are upheld throughout Scripture. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that warn against slyness and deceit.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the concept of slyness is often linked with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:1 describes the serpent as "more cunning than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made." The serpent's sly nature is evident in its deceitful conversation with Eve, leading to the fall of humanity. This narrative sets a precedent for understanding slyness as a tool of temptation and sin.

Proverbs, a book known for its wisdom literature, frequently warns against deceit and cunning behavior. Proverbs 12:2 states, "A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil." This verse highlights the divine disapproval of those who engage in sly and deceitful practices.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus often confronted the slyness of the Pharisees and religious leaders. In Matthew 22:15-18 , the Pharisees plotted to trap Jesus with His words. Jesus, aware of their malice, called them out for their hypocrisy, saying, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?" This encounter illustrates how slyness is often associated with hypocrisy and malintent.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of deceit and cunning in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 4:2 , Paul writes, "Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God." Paul emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in the life of a believer, contrasting it with the slyness that distorts truth.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, slyness is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that opposes God's truth. It is often linked with the devil, who is described as the "father of lies" in John 8:44 . The Bible encourages believers to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16), suggesting that while wisdom and discernment are valuable, they must be coupled with purity and integrity.

Practical Applications

For Christians, the call to avoid slyness is a call to live a life of integrity and truthfulness. Ephesians 4:25 instructs, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." This directive underscores the importance of honesty in building a community that reflects the character of Christ.

In summary, the Bible consistently portrays slyness as a negative trait associated with deceit and sin. Believers are encouraged to pursue honesty, integrity, and transparency, reflecting the truth of God in their lives and interactions with others.1. (v. t.) Dexterous in performing an action, so as to escape notice; nimble; skillful; cautious; shrewd; knowing; -- in a good sense.

2. (v. t.) Artfully cunning; secretly mischievous; wily.

3. (v. t.) Done with, and marked by, artful and dexterous secrecy; subtle; as, a sly trick.

4. (v. t.) Light or delicate; slight; thin.

5. (adv.) Slyly.

3789. ophis -- a snake
... Probably from optanomai (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake,
figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3789.htm - 6k

The Consulship of Eutropius
... Sly fellow!' said Philip. It's a sort of bet. ... Who's the sly fellow now?' said
Eutyches. 'One word for me, and ever so many for yourself. ...
/.../chapter xxiv the consulship of.htm

The Words of Abbot Serapion on the Decline of Thoughts that are ...
... that after I had supped with the old man at the ninth hour, I used every day secretly
to hide a biscuit in my dress, which I would eat on the sly later on ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi the words of.htm

Whether any Demons are Naturally Wicked?
... Objection 3: Further, some irrational animals have wicked dispositions by nature:
thus the fox is naturally sly, and the wolf naturally rapacious; yet they are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether any demons are naturally.htm

Introduction
... Thereafter, proceed to the work, sometimes the most trying ever undertaken, of taming
this singularly acute, desperately sly, and often ferociously savage ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/introduction.htm

The Olivet Message.
... For that business man down in the sharp competition of the world where duty calls
him, to resist the sly temptations to overreach, to keep keenly alert not to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the olivet message.htm

The Historical Situation
... his paramour. Jesus described him well as "that fox" (Luke 13:32), for he
was sly, and worked often by indirection. While his father ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the historical situation.htm

It was a Clear Morning and the Tenth Day Before the Kalends of ...
... tribune. He seized a lance, and, crouching as he ran, with sly feet approached
the Roman officer. He was like the cat nearing its prey. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 22 it was a.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and ...
... walking in fear. It is not good to despise such a sly and subtle enemy,
especially in the hour and power of darkness. Then all are ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xvi how to make.htm

The Meeting Between Ambrose and Augustin
... dilexit. This satis episcopaliter looks very like a sly banter at the expense
of the saint. It is infinitely probable that St. Ambrose ...
/.../bertrand/saint augustin/iii the meeting between ambrose.htm

Low Beetling Brows, -- a Sensual, Cruel Mouth with a Loosely ...
... other across the thin bridge of nose,"a receding chin and a narrow cranium, combined
with an expression which was hypocritically humble, yet sly,"this was ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/ix low beetling brows .htm

Sly (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Done with, and marked by, artful and dexterous secrecy; subtle; as, a sly
trick. 4. (vt) Light or delicate; slight; thin. ...Sly (3 Occurrences). ...
/s/sly.htm - 7k

Trick (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An artifice or stratagem; a cunning contrivance;
a sly procedure, usually with a dishonest intent; as, a trick in trade. ...
/t/trick.htm - 10k

Sleight (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) An artful trick; sly artifice; a feat so dexterous that the manner of
performance escapes observation. 3. (n.) Dexterous practice; dexterity; skill. ...
/s/sleight.htm - 7k

Subtlety (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The quality or state of being subtle, or sly; cunning; craftiness; artfulness. ...
3. (n.) Something that is sly, crafty, or delusive. Int. ...
/s/subtlety.htm - 10k

Small (1110 Occurrences)

/s/small.htm - 8k

Fox (2 Occurrences)
... See Shark. 4. (n.) A sly, cunning fellow. 5. (n.) Rope yarn twisted together,
and rubbed with tar; -- used for seizings or mats. ...
/f/fox.htm - 13k

Dog (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A mean, worthless fellow; a wretch. 3. (n.) A fellow; -- used
humorously or contemptuously; as, a sly dog; a lazy dog. 4 ...
/d/dog.htm - 20k

Mouse (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To watch for and catch mice. 8. (vi) To watch for or pursue anything
in a sly manner; to pry about, on the lookout for something. ...
/m/mouse.htm - 10k

Peep (1 Occurrence)
... chirp. 5. (n.) First outlook or appearance. 6. (n.) A sly look; a look as
through a crevice, or from a place of concealment. 7. (n ...
/p/peep.htm - 8k

Cunning (43 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as,
cunning work. 3. (a.) Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful. ...
/c/cunning.htm - 22k

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Sly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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