Definition:
To dissemble is to conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to act hypocritically or deceitfully. In a biblical context, dissembling is often associated with hypocrisy, deceit, and insincerity, which are contrary to the teachings of Scripture.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 26:24-26 :
"A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly."

· This passage warns against those who dissemble by using gracious words to hide their true intentions. It highlights the danger of deceit and the eventual exposure of wickedness.

2. Psalm 55:21 :
"His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet they are drawn swords."

· Here, the psalmist describes the duplicity of someone who dissembles, using smooth and soft words to mask their hostile intentions. This imagery underscores the treachery involved in dissembling.

3. Galatians 2:11-13 :
"When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray."

· The Apostle Paul confronts Peter (Cephas) for dissembling by acting hypocritically. Peter's behavior, influenced by fear of judgment from others, led to a division that contradicted the truth of the Gospel.

4. Isaiah 29:13 :
"Therefore the Lord said: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.'"

· This verse addresses the dissembling nature of those who outwardly perform acts of worship while their hearts remain distant from God. It highlights the emptiness of insincere worship.

Theological Implications:

Dissembling is a serious offense in the biblical narrative, as it involves a deliberate attempt to deceive others and often God Himself. It is closely related to hypocrisy, which Jesus frequently condemned in the Pharisees and religious leaders of His time (e.g., Matthew 23:27-28). The act of dissembling undermines the integrity and authenticity that are central to a life of faith.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, dissembling is seen as a violation of the commandment against bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). It is an ethical breach that damages trust and relationships within the community of believers. Christians are called to live transparently and truthfully, reflecting the character of Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for any tendencies to dissemble, whether in speech, actions, or intentions. The call to authenticity and sincerity is a recurring theme in Scripture, urging Christians to align their outward expressions with their inner convictions. Prayer, accountability, and a commitment to truth are essential practices in overcoming the temptation to dissemble.

Of Accepting Blessing in the Name of Idols.
... For whoever dissembles in any cause whatever, by being held as a heathen, does deny;
and, of course, all denial is idolatry, just as all idolatry is denial ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xxii of accepting blessing in.htm

Introduction to Ad Afros Epistola Synodica.
... He attacks the Homoean position, shewing that its characteristic watchword merely
dissembles the alternative between Anomoeanism and the true co-essentiality ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/introduction to ad afros epistola.htm

Copiousness of Words
... The orator, indeed, often prepares, dissembles, lies in wait, and says things in
the first part of the pleading which he avails himself of in the last part. ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/copiousness of words.htm

Whether all Dissimulation is a Sin?
... this is sometimes lawful; so also does a man dissemble, when by outward signs of
deeds or things he signifies that which he is not, yet he dissembles not if he ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all dissimulation is a.htm

"That which we have Heard and Seen of the Word of Life, Declare we ...
... Notwithstanding this halts too much, for our Father dissembles not his love, but
proclaims it in sending his Son, not doth Christ hide it, but declares, that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii that which we.htm

The Knowledge of God
... Judas dissembles his envy at Christ, and his covetousness, with the pretence of
charity to the poor.' John 12:2. Jehu makes religion a stirrup to his ambitious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 the knowledge of god.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... darkness. [884]. The fire dissembles not; it exposes and punishes what
it is bidden. Such are the mysteries of the Atheists. [885 ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

The Christ of the Gospels.
... if scorn, mockery, and irony are to be found any where, it is not in the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, but in a book which lacks honesty, and dissembles its scorn ...
/.../the christ of the gospels 2.htm

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his ...
... Ye can agree with a profane hypocrite"with a profane man, that feigns and dissembles
repentance but if once he were so thoroughly changed, as to hate his ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv they have corrupted.htm

Chapter i.
... For if he had indeed meant them as he used them, he would not have fallen from heaven;
but now having fallen through his pride, he artfully dissembles in his ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/chapter i.htm

Dissembles (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dissembles (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 26:24 He that hateth
dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him. (See RSV). ...
/d/dissembles.htm - 6k

Dissembler (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who dissembles; one who conceals his opinions
or dispositions under a false appearance; a hypocrite. ...
/d/dissembler.htm - 6k

Dissembleth (1 Occurrence)

/d/dissembleth.htm - 6k

Dissembling (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dissemble. 2. (a.) That dissembles;
hypocritical; false. Multi-Version Concordance Dissembling (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/dissembling.htm - 7k

Dissemblers (1 Occurrence)

/d/dissemblers.htm - 6k

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