Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Practise Hypocrisy to Hide
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Rebellion against God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often characterized by a deliberate turning away from His commandments and a refusal to submit to His authority. Those who engage in such rebellion frequently resort to hypocrisy as a means of concealing their true intentions and actions. This entry explores the nature of this rebellion and the use of hypocrisy as a cover for sin, drawing on scriptural examples and teachings.

Nature of Rebellion

Rebellion against God is fundamentally an act of pride and self-will, where individuals or groups choose their own desires over God's will. This rebellion can manifest in various forms, including idolatry, disobedience, and moral corruption. The Bible consistently warns against such behavior, emphasizing the consequences of turning away from God.

Hypocrisy as a Cover

Hypocrisy is a common tactic used by those in rebellion to mask their true motives. By outwardly displaying piety and righteousness, they attempt to deceive others and, at times, themselves. Jesus Christ frequently condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, as they were more concerned with appearances than with genuine obedience to God. In Matthew 23:27-28 (BSB), Jesus declares, "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."

Biblical Examples

1. The Pharisees and Religious Leaders: The Gospels provide numerous accounts of the Pharisees' hypocrisy. They were meticulous in observing the law's minutiae but neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23, BSB). Their rebellion was not in the form of overt disobedience but in their failure to understand and live out the spirit of the law.

2. Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and deceitfully withheld part of the proceeds while pretending to donate the entire amount to the apostles. Their hypocrisy was an act of rebellion against the Holy Spirit, resulting in their immediate judgment and death.

3. King Saul: Saul's disobedience to God's command in 1 Samuel 15 is another example of rebellion masked by hypocrisy. Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock under the pretense of offering sacrifices to God, despite being instructed to destroy everything. His actions revealed a heart more concerned with appearances and personal gain than with true obedience.

Warnings and Teachings

The Bible warns that God sees through hypocrisy and judges the heart. In Isaiah 29:13 (BSB), the Lord says, "These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me, and their worship of Me is but rules taught by men." This passage highlights the futility of attempting to deceive God with outward displays of piety while harboring rebellion within.

The Apostle Paul also addresses hypocrisy in Romans 2:3 (BSB), stating, "So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?" This serves as a reminder that God's judgment is impartial and based on truth, not appearances.

Call to Genuine Repentance

The antidote to rebellion and hypocrisy is genuine repentance and a sincere commitment to follow God's ways. The Bible calls believers to examine their hearts and align their actions with God's will. In James 4:8 (BSB), it is written, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This call to purity and sincerity underscores the importance of living authentically before God, free from the deceit of hypocrisy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Hosea 7:14
And they have not cried to me with their heart, when they howled on their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... against him." Evil men seek only rebellion, and delight ... of declining and forsaking
the law of God, when men ... off contending with, or declaring against them, and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... that he that went before thee did split his ship against; and cry to God to lead ...
Further, Let not opposite Christians rejoice when they see that evil hath ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... carriages will be so laid open, that it will evidently appear they have been very
merciless and mad against the children of God, insomuch, that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... also a pretence of holiness, which he knew they were prone ... Ye shall be as gods,"
as knowing and perfect as God. ... it is, if not point blank against, yet without ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... Further, they could call the bread of God husks; the comforts ... be a sign To all that
shall against the truth ... was gone to the bottom, and then they drank thereof ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

part ii
... Forgive them that trespass against you with joy, as a good son rejoices when he
has a chance ... "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." [747 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Resources
Who was Judas Maccabeus? | GotQuestions.org

Was the American Revolution a violation of Romans 13:1-7? | GotQuestions.org

Why is obedience better than sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org

Rebellion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Rebellion

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Contempt of God

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Injustice and Corruption

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Man is Prone To

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Stubbornness

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: The Heart is the Seat of

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from his Instituted Worship

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from his Precepts

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Despising his Counsels

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Despising his Law

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Distrusting his Power

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Murmuring Against Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Rebellion Against Governors Appointed by Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Refusing to Hearken to Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Rejecting his Government

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Revolting from Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Sinning Against Light

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Unbelief

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Walking After Our own Thoughts

Rebellion Against God: Forbidden

Rebellion Against God: Forgiven Upon Repentance

Rebellion Against God: God Alone Can Forgive

Rebellion Against God: God is Ready to Forgive

Rebellion Against God: Guilt of Aggravated by God's Fatherly Care

Rebellion Against God: Guilt of Aggravated by God's Unceasing Invitations to Return to Him

Rebellion Against God: Guilt of To be Confessed

Rebellion Against God: Guilt of To be Deprecated

Rebellion Against God: Heinousness of

Rebellion Against God: Ingratitude of-Illustrated

Rebellion Against God: Israelites

Rebellion Against God: Jeroboam

Rebellion Against God: Kingdom of Israel

Rebellion Against God: Korah

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: Cautioned Against

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: Sent to Those Guilty of

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: should Remind Their People of Past

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: should Testify Against

Rebellion Against God: Ministers: should Warn Against

Rebellion Against God: Moses and Aaron

Rebellion Against God: Pharaoh

Rebellion Against God: Promises to Those Who Avoid

Rebellion Against God: Provokes Christ

Rebellion Against God: Provokes God

Rebellion Against God: Punishment For

Rebellion Against God: Punishment for Teaching

Rebellion Against God: Religious Instruction Designed to Prevent

Rebellion Against God: Saul

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Aggravate Their Sin By

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Brought Low For

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Cast out in Their Sins For

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Cast out of the Church For

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Delivered Into the Hands of Enemies on Account of

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Denounced

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Have God As Their Enemy

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Have God's Hand Against Them

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Impoverished For

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Increase In, Though Chastised

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Persevere In

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Practise Hypocrisy to Hide

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Restored Through Christ Alone

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Warned not to Exalt Themselves

Rebellion Against God: Vexes the Holy Spirit

Rebellion Against God: Zedekiah

Rebellion: Absalom

Rebellion: Revolt of the Ten Tribes

Rebellion: Sheba

Rebellion: Treasonable

Related Terms

Transgression (70 Occurrences)

Merathaim (1 Occurrence)

Perversion (13 Occurrences)

Artaxerxes (14 Occurrences)

Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)

Rebel (35 Occurrences)

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)

Gaal (10 Occurrences)

Wondrous (41 Occurrences)

Ittai (9 Occurrences)

Revolt (18 Occurrences)

Mesha (4 Occurrences)

Mahanaim (15 Occurrences)

Mered (2 Occurrences)

Counseled (12 Occurrences)

Cambyses

Asnapper (1 Occurrence)

Sedition (8 Occurrences)

Stubbornness (14 Occurrences)

Mephibosheth (13 Occurrences)

Flavius

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Josephus

Korah (51 Occurrences)

Stubborn (40 Occurrences)

Numbers (136 Occurrences)

Shimei (43 Occurrences)

Neck (97 Occurrences)

Preached (75 Occurrences)

Gibeon (39 Occurrences)

Idolatry (14 Occurrences)

Persians (6 Occurrences)

Demetrius (3 Occurrences)

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)

Aaron (343 Occurrences)

Polygamy

Rod (138 Occurrences)

Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)

Bondage (55 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Harden (22 Occurrences)

Canaan (102 Occurrences)

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)

David (1052 Occurrences)

Zadok (50 Occurrences)

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)

Korah's (4 Occurrences)

Necks (28 Occurrences)

Nourish (16 Occurrences)

Unruly (8 Occurrences)

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)

Undisciplined (3 Occurrences)

Olves

Juda (11 Occurrences)

Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)

Loving-kindness (150 Occurrences)

Grumbling (13 Occurrences)

Grumblings (6 Occurrences)

Walks (51 Occurrences)

Withdraw (52 Occurrences)

Wink (2 Occurrences)

Idleness (4 Occurrences)

Israel (27466 Occurrences)

Insurrection (8 Occurrences)

Insubordination (1 Occurrence)

Issued (40 Occurrences)

Forgiving (11 Occurrences)

Forsookest (2 Occurrences)

Theudas (1 Occurrence)

Treachery (18 Occurrences)

Taskmaster (3 Occurrences)

Tirzah (17 Occurrences)

Teraphim (14 Occurrences)

Thwart (5 Occurrences)

Rebelling (4 Occurrences)

Rushed (24 Occurrences)

Riotously (2 Occurrences)

Esarhaddon (3 Occurrences)

Egyptian (35 Occurrences)

Rebellion Against God: They Who are Guilty of Persevere In
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