Definition and Context:
Make-believe refers to the act of pretending or imagining something that is not real. In a biblical context, make-believe can be associated with falsehood, deception, or idolatry, where individuals or groups create or follow beliefs, practices, or images that are contrary to the truth of God's Word.

Biblical References and Themes:

1. Falsehood and Deception:
The Bible frequently warns against falsehood and deception, which can be seen as forms of make-believe. In Ephesians 4:25 , Paul exhorts believers, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." This verse highlights the importance of truthfulness and the rejection of deceitful practices.

2. Idolatry as Make-believe:
Idolatry is a significant theme in the Bible where make-believe is evident. Idols are man-made objects or concepts that people worship as gods, despite their lack of real power or divinity. In Isaiah 44:9-10 , the prophet declares, "All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?" This passage underscores the futility and deception inherent in idolatry.

3. Warnings Against False Prophets:
The Bible also warns against false prophets who engage in make-believe by proclaiming messages that are not from God. In Matthew 7:15 , Jesus warns, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This metaphor illustrates the danger of those who pretend to be genuine messengers of God but are, in fact, deceitful.

4. The Call to Discernment:
Believers are called to discern truth from make-believe. In 1 John 4:1 , it is written, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This call to discernment is crucial in distinguishing between genuine faith and deceptive practices.

5. The Role of Imagination:
While make-believe often carries a negative connotation in the context of falsehood and idolatry, imagination itself is not inherently wrong. The Bible acknowledges the creative aspect of human nature, as seen in the arts and storytelling. However, it emphasizes that imagination should align with God's truth and righteousness. Philippians 4:8 encourages believers, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things."

Conclusion:
The concept of make-believe in the Bible is primarily associated with falsehood, deception, and idolatry. Believers are called to reject these practices and embrace truth, discernment, and righteousness in their thoughts and actions.1. (n.) A feigning to believe, as in the play of children; a mere pretense; a fiction; an invention.

2. (a.) Feigned; insincere.

Method and Organization
... attract the boy. The result has been and is a play-idea of organization and
a make-believe environment on the part of the boy. In his ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/vii method and organization.htm

The Real Thing of Light.
... And this is the sure touchstone by which to detect the real thing of light and the
make-believe. ... There is none of the red tinge to this make-believe light. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the real thing of light.htm

Contrasted Services
... A pathetic character in modern fiction says, 'If you make believe very much it is
nice.' It takes a tremendous amount of make-believe to keep up an appetite ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/contrasted services.htm

Pauline Enters the Carmel
... If we went out, the make-believe continued even in the street; the two hermits would
say the Rosary, using their fingers to count on, so as not to display ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter iii pauline enters the.htm

But this New Cloudy Political Cowardice Has Rendered Useless the ...
... another man's faith; but it is too much to ask that I should respect his doubt,
his worldly hesitations and fictions, his political bargain and make-believe. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 3 but this new.htm

Pauline Enters the Carmel
... If we went out, the make-believe continued even in the street; the two hermits would
say the Rosary, using their fingers to count on, so as not to display ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter iii - pauline enters.htm

The Passage Where He Attacks the Omoousion, and the Contention in ...
... and fight for the Faith with all the power we have, and show that the formidable
two-edged sword which he has sharpened is feebler than a make-believe in a ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 34 the passage where.htm

December 18. "The Faith of the Son of God" (Gal. Ii. 20).
... Faith is hindered most of all by what we call "our faith," and fruitless struggles
to work out a faith which is but a make-believe and a desperate trying to ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /december 18 the faith of.htm

Watkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
... Let us not shut our eyes to this. The skeptic often tells us that he will have
no "make-believe." Let us have no "make-believe" about death. ...
/.../the worlds great sermons volume 8/watkinson the transfigured sackcloth.htm

One Day when Old Diamond was Standing with his Nose in his Bag ...
... "O' course she do. Don't she just! But I make believe and drop it in my lap, and
then hitch it into my pocket.". "What would she do if she found you out?". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 19 one day when.htm

Make-believe (1 Occurrence)
Make-believe. Makebates, Make-believe. Maked . Noah Webster's Dictionary ... 2.
(a.) Feigned; insincere. Multi-Version Concordance Make-believe (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/make-believe.htm - 6k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... Idolatrous cults repose largely on make-believe." Compare the similar statement
made from a very different standpoint by the author of Great Is Diana of the ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Defiance (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:5 and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance
of its power. Turn away from people of this sort. (WEY). ...
/d/defiance.htm - 9k

Maked

/m/maked.htm - 6k

Makebates

/m/makebates.htm - 6k

Pretend (9 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To hold out the appearance of being, possessing, or performing; to profess;
to makebelieve; to feign; to sham; as, to pretend to be asleep. ...
/p/pretend.htm - 10k

Piety (21 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). 2 Timothy 3:5 and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in
defiance of its power. Turn away from people of this sort. (WEY DBY YLT). ...
/p/piety.htm - 13k

Assumed (3 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Assume. 2. (a.) Supposed. 3. (a.) Pretended; hypocritical; make-believe;
as, an assumed character. Multi-Version Concordance Assumed (3 Occurrences). ...
/a/assumed.htm - 7k

Sham (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) That which deceives expectation; any trick, fraud, or device that deludes
and disappoint; a make-believe; delusion; imposture, humbug. ...
/s/sham.htm - 7k

Sort (143 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Timothy 3:5 and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance
of its power. Turn away from people of this sort. (WEY). ...
/s/sort.htm - 36k

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