The term "feignedly" refers to actions or behaviors that are insincere, pretended, or deceitful. In the context of the Bible, it often describes the conduct of individuals who outwardly display certain virtues or beliefs but inwardly harbor different intentions or attitudes. This concept is significant in Scripture as it highlights the importance of genuine faith and integrity in one's relationship with God and others.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 3:10 : "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.
· In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah conveys God's lament over Judah's superficial repentance. Despite outward appearances of returning to God, Judah's actions were merely feigned, lacking true heartfelt commitment. This serves as a warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and the need for sincere devotion.

2. Psalm 78:36-37 : "But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues. Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant."
· The psalmist recounts Israel's history of insincere worship and covenant unfaithfulness. Although they professed loyalty with their words, their hearts were not aligned with their declarations. This passage underscores the futility of feigned devotion and the necessity of aligning one's heart with one's words.

3. Matthew 15:7-9 : "You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 'These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.'"
· Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocritical practices. Their worship was feigned, as they prioritized human traditions over God's commandments. This highlights the importance of authentic worship that stems from a sincere heart rather than mere external compliance.

Theological Implications:

The concept of acting feignedly is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with hypocrisy and deceit. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of authenticity in one's faith journey. God desires truth in the inward being (Psalm 51:6), and He calls His followers to live lives of integrity, where their actions and words are a true reflection of their inner convictions.

Feigned behavior is not only condemned because it is deceitful, but also because it undermines the transformative power of genuine faith. True repentance and worship require a heart fully surrendered to God, not merely an outward show of piety. The Bible consistently calls believers to examine their hearts and ensure that their faith is not just a facade but a living, active relationship with God.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a sincere faith that permeates every aspect of their lives. This involves regular self-examination, prayer, and a commitment to aligning one's heart with God's will. By doing so, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of feigned behavior and instead live out a faith that is both genuine and pleasing to God.8267. sheqer -- deception, disappointment, falsehood
... wrongfully (3). without a cause, deceitful, falsehood feignedly, liar, lie,
lying, vain thing, wrongfully. From shaqar; an untruth ...
/hebrew/8267.htm - 6k

Jesus Christ Man in Truth, not in Semblance. ...
... [39.] But the Catholic Faith teaches that the Word of God became man in such wise,
that He took upon Him our nature, not feignedly and in semblance, but in ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xiv jesus christ man.htm

Clement's Trick.
... Homily V. Chapter III."Clement's Trick. "I knowing this before concerning Appion,
as soon as he asked me the cause of my sickness, answered feignedly, that I ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter iii clements trick.htm

John Chapter i. 5-Jan
... themselves in proclaiming peace to the Church did not divide themselves against
Him from whom they received peace, [6] that truly, not feignedly, they might ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate i john chapter i.htm

The Death of Christ Voluntary. How the Mediator of Life Subdued ...
... Because that deceiver then,"who was a mediator to death for man, and feignedly puts
himself forward as to life, under the name of cleansing by sacrilegious ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 13 the death of christ.htm

Man was to be Rescued from the Power of the Devil, not by Power ...
... not wish to be powerful, while they wish to be so in order to conquer men; and why
is this, unless that, being in truth conquered, they feignedly conquer, and ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 13 man was to be.htm

Epistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
... justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles
Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxi to constantina augusta.htm

Spies in the Enemy's Camp.
... Homily II. Chapter XXXVII."Spies in the Enemy's Camp. "Some [945] of our people
attend feignedly upon Simon as companions, as if they were persuaded by his ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxxvii spies in the enemys.htm

Of Contemplation
... He that is truly and not feignedly meek holds himself worthy of being despised,
and neither by harm nor reproof is provoked to wrath. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xii of contemplation.htm

Psalm 78
... had their Redeemer been. ^36Yet with their mouth they flatter'd him,. and spake
but feignedly; And they unto the God of truth. with their false tongues did lie. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 78.htm

Nor have I Undertaken that in the Present Discourse...
... For there were some who thought so and preached, albeit after Christ's Gospel received;
and to these had feignedly consented both Peter and Barnabas, and so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 25 nor have i.htm

Feignedly (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Feignedly (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 3:10 And yet
for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned ...
/f/feignedly.htm - 6k

Feigned (8 Occurrences)

/f/feigned.htm - 9k

Feignest (2 Occurrences)

/f/feignest.htm - 7k

Feign (11 Occurrences)
... goeth not out of feigned lips" (Psalm 17:1); sheqer, "falsehood," "a lie," "Judah
hath not returned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly" (Jeremiah 3:10 ...
/f/feign.htm - 12k

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