The word for this week is "pretense". It is found three times in the KJV Bible: Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:40; and Philippians 1:16-18:
Matt 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. KJV
Mark 12:40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. KJV
Phil 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. KJV
This is the Greek word "prophasis". Strong's Concordance says: an outward showing. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a pretext; show. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: It signifies the assuming of something so as to disguise one's real motives. In the first two instances the "religious leaders" were pretending to have the best interests of the widows at heart by praying long, religious sounding prayers, while all the while they were actually stealing from them. In Philippians Paul was addressing the fact that while he was in prison, the preaching of the Gospel was still going forth! He said that not everyone who was preaching the Gospel had right motives for doing so, but, because the anointing is on the Word, it was still a good thing! Our motives affect US, in this life and the next, but nothing can hinder the anointing that is on the Word when people are ready to receive! It is good to recognize the motives of people we deal with on a daily basis. The Holy Spirit is our great Helper for that! The more we get to know Him (Philippians 3:8-10), the more confidence we will have to properly discern the things that we hear! Your children will learn about Him through your knowledge right now, until they are able to seek Him for themselves. You and Kristine, and her wonderful grandparents :), are doing a great job of bringing Jesus to the heart of Avery! We are so blessed with everything we hear! Here is a song from Hillsong Kids Called "My Number One":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
