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, Genesis 27:35–36, Genesis 29:16–25, Genesis 38:13–16; 2 Samuel 14:1–3

At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became ill, and Jeroboam said to his wife, “Now get up, disguise yourself so they will not recognize you as my wife, and go to Shiloh. For Ahijah the prophet is there; it was he who spoke about my kingship over this people. Take with you ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the boy.” Jeroboam’s wife did as instructed; she arose and went to Shiloh and arrived at Ahijah’s house. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. But the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill. You are to say such and such to her, because when she arrives, she will be disguised.” So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet entering the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you disguised? For I have been sent to you with bad news.

Other pretences

Genesis 42:7 See also Genesis 34:13–15, Genesis 34:25; 2 Samuel 13:1–11; 2 Kings 10:18–19; Proverbs 13:7; Jeremiah 9:6–9; Matthew 22:15–22 parallels Mark 12:13–17, Luke 20:20–26

And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.”

Pretence practised by people for their own safety

The wearing of a disguise

Joshua 9:3–22 See also 1 Samuel 28:7–12; 1 Kings 22:29–32 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:28–32

Other pretences

1 Samuel 21:10–13 See also 1 Samuel 19:11–17; PSA 34:0; Acts 27:29–30

That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard.

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, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16, Matthew 23:27–28, Matthew 24:4–5 parallels Mark 13:5–6, Luke 21:8

Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.

That practised by people in their approach to God

Jeremiah 3:10 See also Matthew 15:7–8 parallel Mark 7:6; Isaiah 29:13

Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD.

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

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

The gospel demolishes pretence

2 Corinthians 10:5

We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.