Pretend

 

            Hypocrite in Matthew 15:7 comes from the Greek word hupokrites meaning an actor under an 

assumed character (stage-player fig.) dissembler (hypocritical).  Now as for an actor/actress you have to

pretend to be in character for your audience.  Then in real life your another person all together.

             As children we often pretend, but as we grow older (unless we have a job that calls for it)

we often forget to pretend.  I am not here to say anything is wrong with pretending, because it is only 

wrong if we do something like pretend to be the opposite sex.  In II Samuel 21:13 it tells us that 

David pretended to be insane, "So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their 

hands, and let his saliva fall down on his beard."

           Luke 20:20 gives us an example of how pretending can be used for evil, "So they sent spies who

pretended to be righteous that they might seize on his words in order to deliver him to the power and 

the authority of the governor."

          While I do not believe pretending in itself is a sin, for as I said earlier children pretend and they 

are in a state of innocence.  However, in II Corinthians 11:14 it says, "And no wonder! For Satan 

himself transforms himself into an angel of light."  

            So Satan can pretend to be an Angel of light.  If Satan can pretend to be an Angel of light then 

pretending can be used for good or evil purposes.

Paul D. Eccles    

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