Topical Encyclopedia
The term "false-hearted" refers to individuals who are insincere, deceitful, or treacherous in their intentions and actions. In the biblical context, false-heartedness is often associated with hypocrisy, betrayal, and a lack of genuine faithfulness to God and others. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings against such behavior, emphasizing the importance of integrity and truthfulness.
Biblical Examples and Warnings1.
Judas Iscariot: Perhaps the most infamous example of false-heartedness in the Bible is Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Despite being in close fellowship with Jesus, Judas betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. His actions are a stark reminder of the dangers of a deceitful heart. In
Matthew 26:14-16 , it is recorded: "Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver."
2.
The Pharisees and Sadducees: Jesus frequently rebuked the religious leaders of His time for their hypocrisy and false-heartedness. They were outwardly pious but inwardly corrupt, seeking the praise of men rather than the approval of God. 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."
3.
Ananias and Sapphira: In the early church, Ananias and his wife Sapphira exemplified false-heartedness by lying to the Holy Spirit about the proceeds from the sale of their property. Their deceit was met with severe consequences, as recorded in
Acts 5:3-4 : "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.'"
Characteristics of the False-heartedThe Bible describes several characteristics of false-hearted individuals, including:
·
Deceitfulness: False-hearted people often engage in deception, misleading others for personal gain or to cover up their true intentions.
Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight."
·
Hypocrisy: They may present a facade of righteousness while harboring sin and corruption within. Jesus warns against this in
Luke 12:1 : "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."
·
Betrayal: False-hearted individuals may betray the trust of others, as seen in the actions of Judas.
Psalm 41:9 prophetically speaks of such betrayal: "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."
Call to IntegrityThe Bible calls believers to live with integrity and sincerity, reflecting the character of God in their actions and relationships.
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." The pursuit of truth and faithfulness is central to the Christian life, as believers are called to emulate Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (
John 14:6).
ConclusionWhile the Bible provides numerous examples of false-heartedness, it also offers hope and guidance for those seeking to live with integrity. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to overcome deceit and hypocrisy, walking in the truth and love of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Hollow or unsound at the core; treacherous; deceitful; perfidious.
Library
The Greatest Trial on Record
... AFTER OUR LORD HAD been betrayed by thefalse-hearted Judas, he was bound by the
officers who had come to take him; no doubt the cords were drawn as tight, and...
"But Ye are not in the Flesh, but in the Spirit, if So be that the...
... and saddening of their hearts, as the upright-hearted disciples were more ready
to take with the challenge of betraying Christ, than thefalse hearted Judas....
John Chapter xiii. 21-26.
... But we have much to say about that dipped bread which was presented to the
false-hearted disciple, and about that which follows; and for these we shall require...
The Builders on the Wall
... They endeavored to destroy the courage of the Jews; they formed conspiracies to
draw Nehemiah into their toils; andfalsehearted Jews were found ready to aid...
The Last Season
... how will you hold up your head before him, when he shall say. 'O you dissembling.
false-hearted man! How could you profess religion?...
Motives from the Benefits of Work
... Or are they grown cruel to the souls of men Or are theyfalse-hearted to the
interest of Christ, and have a design to undermine his kingdom?...
During These Various Changes in the Lives of those with whom He...
... This prince I tell you of, had been the lover of a noble lady, but he was
false-hearted; and the false soon grow weary of love!...
Sudden Conversions.
... being called, an apostate, the most odious and miserable of titles!"bore to be spurned
and spit upon as a renegade, a traitor, afalse-hearted and perfidious...
The Scriptures a Safeguard.
... So thefalse-hearted professor may not now be distinguished from the real Christian,
but the time is just upon us when the difference will be apparent....
The Scriptures a Safeguard
... So thefalsehearted professor may not now be distinguished from the real Christian,
but the time is just upon us when the difference will be apparent....
Thesaurus
False-hearted (6 Occurrences)False-
hearted. False.
False-
hearted. Falsehood . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.) Hollow or unsound at the core; treacherous; deceitful; perfidious.
...Truly (468 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:2 When then you give money to the poor, do not make a noise about it,
as thefalse-hearted men do in the Synagogues and in the streets, so that they...
False.
Truth (380 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when you make your prayers, be not like thefalse-hearted men, who
take pleasure in getting up and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and...
Noise (126 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:2 When then you give money to the poor, do not make a noise about it,
as thefalse-hearted men do in the Synagogues and in the streets, so that they...
Outcries (8 Occurrences)
... Numbers 17:10 And the Lord said to Moses, Put Aaron's rod back in front of the ark
of witness, to be kept for a sign against thisfalse-hearted people, so that...
Getting (151 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when you make your prayers, be not like thefalse-hearted men, who
take pleasure in getting up and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and...
Turnings (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when you make your prayers, be not like thefalse-hearted men, who
take pleasure in getting up and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and...
Pleasure (331 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when you make your prayers, be not like thefalse-hearted men, who
take pleasure in getting up and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and...
Resources
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