Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5920 pretence
The deception of others by individuals, usually for the sake of their own interest, safety or pride. Scripture condemns such pretence and demands honesty from believers at every point.
Pretence practised by people for their own interests
The wearing of a disguise
1 Kings 14:1-6 See also Genesis 27:5-19,35-36; Genesis 29:16-25; Genesis 38:13-16; 2 Samuel 14:1-3
Other pretences
Genesis 42:7 See also Genesis 34:13-15,25; 2 Samuel 13:1-11; 2 Kings 10:18-19; Proverbs 13:7; Jeremiah 9:6-9; Matthew 22:15-22 pp Mark 12:13-17 pp Luke 20:20-26
Pretence practised by people for their own safety
Joshua 9:3-22 See also 1 Samuel 28:7-12; 1 Kings 22:29-32 pp 2 Chronicles 18:28-32
1 Samuel 21:10-13 See also 1 Samuel 19:11-17; Psalm 34:1 Title; Acts 27:29-30
Examples of pretence
That practised by people because of their pride
Proverbs 12:9 See also 2 Chronicles 35:20-22; Proverbs 13:7; Matthew 6:2,5,16; Matthew 23:27-28; Matthew 24:4-5 pp Mark 13:5-6 pp Luke 21:8
That practised by people in their approach to God
Jeremiah 3:10 See also Matthew 15:7-8 pp Mark 7:6; Isaiah 29:13
That commanded by the LORD for his own purpose
1 Kings 20:37-43
God's people must rid themselves of pretence
1 Peter 2:1 See also Psalm 119:29; Luke 12:1; 1 Peter 2:21-22; Isaiah 53:9
The gospel demolishes pretence
2 Corinthians 10:5
See also
5173 outward appearance 5318 fraud 5347 injustice 5625 witnesses, false 5837 disguise 5863 flattery 6145 deceit 7774 prophets, false 8714 dishonesty 8746 false Christs 8767 hypocrisy 8776 lies
