Dissembling, in a biblical context, refers to the act of concealing one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs under a false appearance. It is often associated with deceit, hypocrisy, and insincerity, which are condemned throughout Scripture. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the dangers and moral implications of dissembling.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, dissembling is frequently addressed in the context of deceit and hypocrisy. Proverbs 26:24-26 warns against the dangers of hidden malice: "A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly."

The account of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 27 is a classic example of dissembling. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. This act of dissembling leads to significant familial strife and long-term consequences.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, dissembling is often equated with hypocrisy, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their outward appearance of righteousness while harboring deceitful hearts: "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."

The account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 serves as a stark warning against dissembling within the early Church. They sold a piece of property and kept back part of the proceeds while pretending to donate the entire amount. Their deceit was exposed by the Holy Spirit, and both were struck dead as a result of their hypocrisy.

Moral and Theological Implications

Dissembling is fundamentally at odds with the biblical call to truthfulness and integrity. Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in the life of a believer. 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."

The act of dissembling not only damages personal relationships but also undermines one's relationship with God. Psalm 51:6 highlights God's desire for truth in the inward being: "Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place."

Practical Considerations

Believers are encouraged to examine their hearts and motives regularly to guard against dissembling. James 1:26 advises, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless." Christians are called to live authentically, reflecting the character of Christ in all aspects of life.

In summary, dissembling is a serious moral failing that Scripture warns against repeatedly. It is a form of deceit that not only harms others but also grieves the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to pursue truth and integrity, aligning their actions and words with the teachings of Christ.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dissemble.

2. (a.) That dissembles; hypocritical; false.

5272. hupokrisis -- a reply, answer, playacting, hypocrisy
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hupokrisis Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-ok'-ree-sis) Short Definition: hypocrisy, dissembling Definition: (lit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5272.htm - 7k

Confession and Penance.
... "Confession of sins," says he, "lightens their burden, as much as the dissembling
of them increases it; for confession savours of making amends, dissembling ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iv confession and penance.htm

Letter Lxxxii. (AD 405. )
... these things in the way in which he was reported to have done, and undertook to
perform these rites in order that he might, by dissembling, disguise his real ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxii a d 405.htm

The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He ...
... when he was not aware of it, spread forth his hands toward heaven,[158] and quickly
send forth a prayer, as if it were a dart; and, thus dissembling, once more ...
/.../chapter i the early life.htm

Further Reasons for Practising Patience. Its Connection with the ...
... the Lord is intent! with whom He deigns to be wroth! whom He does not deceive
by dissembling His reproofs! On every side, therefore ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter xi further reasons for practising.htm

To the Magnesians
... 2For the honor, then, of him who loved us, we ought to obey without any dissembling,
since the real issue is not that a man misleads a bishop whom he can see ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/to the magnesians.htm

Secondly, for Thy Words.
... 2. Let thy heart and tongue ever go together in honesty and truth; hate dissembling
and lying in another; detest it in thyself, or God will detest thee for it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/secondly for thy words.htm

Evening Prayer for a Family.
... commandments, so that in us naturally there dwelleth nothing that is good; for our
hearts are full of secret pride, anger, impatience, dissembling, lying, lust ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/evening prayer for a family.htm

"Woe unto You, Because Ye Build the Tombs of the Prophets, and ...
... of vipers," and saying, "How shall ye escape the damnation of hell," [2701] at once
perpetrating such things, and denying them, and dissembling your purpose? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiv woe unto you.htm

Matt. xix. 16
... Some indeed accuse this young man, as one dissembling and ill-minded, and coming
with a temptation to Jesus, but I, though I would not say he was not fond of ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxiii matt xix 16.htm

A Divine Colloquy Between the Soul and Her Saviour Upon the ...
... Christ. That by enduring the words of dissembling lips, I might there begin to expiate
sin, where Satan first brought it into the world (Genesis 3:4, 5.). Soul. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/a divine colloquy between the.htm

Dissembling (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dissemble. 2. (a.) That dissembles;
hypocritical; false. Multi-Version Concordance Dissembling (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/dissembling.htm - 7k

Dissension (18 Occurrences)

/d/dissension.htm - 11k

Insincere (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Not being in truth what one appears to be; not sincere; dissembling;
hypocritical; disingenuous; deceitful; false; -- said of persons; also of speech ...
/i/insincere.htm - 7k

Dissembleth (1 Occurrence)

/d/dissembleth.htm - 6k

Dissimulation (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of dissembling; a hiding under a false
appearance; concealment by feigning; false pretension; hypocrisy. ...
/d/dissimulation.htm - 7k

Played (50 Occurrences)
... Galatians 2:13 and the rest of the Jews also played the same dissembling part with
him; so that even Barnabas was carried away too by their dissimulation. ...
/p/played.htm - 23k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... He seems to have gone down to Antioch after the council at Jerusalem, and there
to have been guilty of dissembling, for which he was severely reprimanded by ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

Simon (75 Occurrences)
... that certain came from James," when "he drew back and separated himself, fearing
them that were of the circumcision," for which dissembling Paul "resisted him ...
/s/simon.htm - 91k

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