The word for this week is "pretence" . We had this word about 8 years ago when we first started this blog, but it is especially important now, in this time we are living in! It's found in 3 portions of Scripture in the New Testament.
Matthew:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 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 12:38 Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. KJV
Philippians 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 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
These are all the Greek word "prophasis". Strong's Concordance says: An outward showing, a pretext. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a show. The scribes and Pharisees were great pretenders in that day. They represented the learned scholars of the Bible, but they didn't actually KNOW the Word. They had memorized portions and could recite, but it was all empty words to them. They LOVED their positions of honor, rather than loving the Lord their God! That became increasingly obvious to the general public when they came out so vigorously AGAINST Jesus! They, of all people, SHOULD have been expecting the Messiah to come, and SHOULD have recognized Him when He did. Instead, they were so fearful of losing their respectable, and well paying, positions that they tried with all their might to stop JESUS! They did NOT know the LORD, so they had to PRETEND to be 'spiritual'! I especially like the example given in Philippians 1! Paul was saying that SOME were preaching the Gospel that they KNEW, and with a right heart and attitude. He also said that SOME were preaching in order to Lord it over people and to try to get a 'step up' on Paul, since he was imprisoned at the time! I LOVE Paul's answer! Verse 18:
8 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. KJV
Paul's only concern was that the GOSPEL be preached so that EVERYONE could have the opportunity to be born again! THAT attitude will ALWAYS receive the BLESSING of Almighty God! There is a song on the new Hillsong Young and Free album, "All My Best Friends", called "Best Friends" that speaks of young people today tired of pretending! They want the REAL TRUTH! There is no better time than right now to get the TRUTH to them, because they will always affect those around them! Hunger for the presence of God among young people has ALWAYS fueled great revival! HALLELUJAH! Here is that song!
Love and Shalom From the Swoveys!
