Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Pretending, in a biblical context, refers to the act of presenting oneself falsely, often with the intention to deceive others. This behavior is generally associated with hypocrisy, deceit, and insincerity, which are condemned throughout Scripture. Pretending can manifest in various forms, including false piety, deceitful speech, and insincere actions.
Biblical References:1.
Hypocrisy and False Piety: Pretending is often linked to hypocrisy, where individuals outwardly display righteousness while harboring unrighteousness within. Jesus frequently rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. In
Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
2.
Deceitful Speech: Pretending can also involve deceitful speech, where individuals use lies or half-truths to manipulate or mislead others.
Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse underscores the importance of truthfulness and the disdain God has for deceit.
3.
Insincere Actions: Actions that are performed with ulterior motives or without genuine intent are another form of pretending. In
Acts 5:1-11, the account of Ananias and Sapphira illustrates the severe consequences of pretending. They sold a piece of property and pretended to donate the entire proceeds to the apostles while secretly withholding a portion. Their deceit was exposed by the Holy Spirit, leading to their sudden deaths.
4.
Warnings Against Deception: The Bible warns believers to be wary of those who pretend to be something they are not. In
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 , Paul warns, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions."
5.
Call to Sincerity and Truth: Scripture calls believers to live lives of sincerity and truth, avoiding all forms of pretending.
Ephesians 4:25 exhorts, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another." This call to authenticity is a fundamental aspect of Christian living.
Theological Implications:Pretending, as a form of deceit, is fundamentally opposed to the nature of God, who is truth (
John 14:6). It undermines the integrity of the Christian witness and disrupts the unity of the body of Christ. Believers are called to reflect God's truthfulness in their lives, rejecting all forms of hypocrisy and deceit. The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life empowers them to live authentically, aligning their actions and words with the truth of the Gospel.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pretend.
Greek
1114. goes -- a wailer, a sorcerer, a swindler... 1114 -- originally, a sorcerer (in ancient Greek literature); in NT times, 1114 ()
is a a shameless cheat
pretending to use supernatural power; an (), looking
...5578. pseudoprophetes -- a false prophet
... 5578 (from 5571 , "false" and 4396 , "a prophet") -- properly, a false prophet;
someonepretending to speak the word of the Lord (prophesy) but in fact is...
Library
Now Learned Reason, whenPretending to be a Master of Morality...
... [Way-1-38] Now learned reason, whenpretending to be a master of morality?
Now learned reason, whenpretending to be a master...
The Testimony of the Spirit Necessary to Give Full Authority to...
... AUTHORITY TO SCRIPTURE. THE IMPIETY OFPRETENDING THAT THE CREDIBILITY OF
SCRIPTURE DEPENDS ON THE JUDGMENT OF THE CHURCH. THE TESTIMONY...
Our First Proposition Was, that There is Satisfactory Evidence...
... PROPOSITION II. CHAPTER I. Our first proposition was, That there is
satisfactory evidence that manypretending to be original?...
Forasmuch Then as the Letter Owed Its Origin to a False Story, and...
... orders were given me? Is not this again the mere fabrication of enemies,
pretending that which never took place? I fear that even...
How Licinius Attempted a Conspiracy against Constantine.
... At first,pretending friendship, he did all things by guile and treachery, expecting
thus to succeed in concealing his designs; but God enabled his servant to...
The Rebuilding of the Temple.
... No one grieved when he was killed by a chance wound from his own sword, in the year
522; but a young Magian priest,pretending to be Smerdis, whose death was...
Letter Xl. (AD 397. )
... For he that ministers to the sick becomes as if he were sick himself; not, indeed,
falselypretending to be under the fever, but considering, with the mind of...
A Warning against Hypocrisy
... hearts of men become hardened through selfishness, and, like Ananias and Sapphira,
they are tempted to withhold part of the price, whilepretending to fulfill...
True Sabbath Observance
... They werepretending zeal for the Sabbath, while they were really moved by anger
at the miracle, which would have been equally unwelcome on any day of the week...
Jesus Before Herod.
... before him"shoved him"abused him"spat upon him"struck him on the check, because
he had refused to answer their king, mocked him bypretending to pay...
Thesaurus
Pretending (4 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pretend. Multi-Version
Concordance
Pretending (4 Occurrences). Luke 20:20 And having
...Christs (2 Occurrences)
... It is said that no fewer than twenty-four persons have at different times appeared
(the last in 1682)pretending to be the Messiah of the prophets. Int....
Ananias (11 Occurrences)
... He and his wife sold their property, and gave to the common fund of the church
part of the purchase money,pretending it was the whole....
Ono (5 Occurrences)
... Not succeeding in their attempts to deter Nehemiah from rebuilding the walls of
Jerusalem, Sanballat and Tobiah resorted to strategem, andpretending to wish a...
Lowered (14 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the
boat into the sea,pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow...
Lifeboat (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the
boat into the sea,pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow...
Lower (72 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the
boat into the sea,pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow...
Witch (2 Occurrences)
... uses the word eggastrimuthos ("a ventriloquist") to describe the woman and those
who exercised kindred arts (1 Samuel 28:9). Thoughpretending ignorance (1...
Intending (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the
boat into the sea,pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow...
Flee (187 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the
boat into the sea,pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow...
Resources
Why are there some pastors who do not believe? | GotQuestions.orgHow are magicians / illusionists able to levitate / perform levitation tricks? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being passive-aggressive? | GotQuestions.orgPretending: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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