“…to trick somebody into doing something, especially by being nice to them, using flattery.”

We visited a carpet weaving centre whilst in Türkiye last week. It was captivating.

The centuries old craft uses tools, threads, yarns, looms, and many different skills.

Using a double-knotting technique and a combination of many materials, Turkish carpets take months, even years to make, resulting in a stronger, higher-quality, longer lasting product.

And so it began…

Gathering in a huge room, we received a complimentary drink.

Our guide introduced us to a bamboozling variety of rug designs, colours, and qualities.

His assistants enthusiastically unfurled endless examples, in a dazzling display of salesmanship.

Occasionally, they’d twist their wrists rotating the rug 180 degrees whilst it unfurled mid-air. A mixture of light, texture, and quality of materials caused the colours and sheen of the carpet to magically change in front of our eyes.

There were a few “oohs” and “aahs” from the mesmerised audience!

We were encouraged to remove our shoes and socks to walk on and feel the difference in quality.

The enticing allure of being sucked into purchasing a rug was overpowering for a few, including us!

We’d always wanted a high-quality rug!

And so…

We succumbed, haggled and purchased a beautiful carpet that we both agreed upon.

Afterwards, we thought, “Had we been beguiled?”

I must confess that there is a degree of nervousness and risk in such a faraway transaction.

I hope all will be well, but only time will tell…

Perhaps you have been in a similar situation?

Reflecting upon the experience, I asked myself if I was without guile?

Then, my thoughts turned to someone I knew was without any guile, even Jesus Christ.

If we are without guile, we are honest, true, sincere, tender and genuine.

All week long, we’ve had the privilege to be in the presence of and rub shoulders with, one of His modern-day Apostles, Quentin L. Cook, someone who truly exemplified the virtue of being without guile.

I thought of another who followed the Saviour; “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47)

A study of Nathanael will reveal that he spoke from his heart, without guile.

Can we say of ourselves, as Jesus said of Nathanael, that we are without guile?