Topical Bible: Sincerity: Evil People are Devoid of

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Sincerity, as a virtue, is characterized by honesty, genuineness, and a congruence between one's words and actions. In the biblical context, sincerity is often associated with purity of heart and integrity before God and others. The absence of sincerity is frequently highlighted in Scripture as a trait of the wicked or evil individuals, who are depicted as deceitful, hypocritical, and insincere in their dealings.

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the lack of sincerity among evil people. In the book of Psalms, the psalmist laments the deceitfulness of the wicked, stating, "They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak" (Psalm 12:2). This verse underscores the duplicity and insincerity that characterize those who are not aligned with God's righteousness.

Proverbs further contrasts the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing the insincerity of the latter. Proverbs 26:24-26 warns, "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" . Here, the insincerity of the wicked is portrayed as a mask that hides their true intentions, which are ultimately revealed.

The New Testament also addresses the issue of insincerity among evil individuals. Jesus, in His teachings, often rebuked the Pharisees and religious leaders for their hypocrisy and lack of genuine faith. In Matthew 23:27-28, He declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" . This passage highlights the external appearance of righteousness that conceals an insincere and corrupt heart.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of sincerity in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, he warns the church about false apostles, stating, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions" . Paul emphasizes that insincerity is a hallmark of those who oppose the truth of the Gospel, aligning them with the deceitful nature of Satan.

The absence of sincerity in evil people is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, serving as a warning to believers to discern the true nature of individuals and to strive for genuine faith and integrity in their own lives.

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Psalm 5:9
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.
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Psalm 55:21
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
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Library

Easter Sunday
... but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth ... we, as justified, sanctified
and purified people, continue in ... stands for those numerous evil tricks, those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

The Lonely Defender of the Bible
... writings he found lacked the spiritual sincerity of his ... By the last of these words
most people understand an ... Christian must surely both judge and condemn evil. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter twelve the lonely defender.htm

Among Snares
... works of Jesus were instigated by an evil spirit. ... Had the people in sincerity studied
the word for themselves ... The people, looking on, saw the sudden change of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 50 among snares.htm

The Course of the World.
... good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech ... as
the charge made by the people who said ... be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl.12 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xii the course of.htm

The True Gnostic is Beneficent, Continent, and Despises Worldly ...
... practiced in a vulgar style by some people, such as ... day, [3618] when he abandons
an evil disposition, and ... For he possesses in its sincerity the faith which is ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii the true gnostic is.htm

The Withered Fig Tree
... resolves, not your avowals, but your sincerity, your inward ... a blessing, but, in truth,
an evil influence streams ... causing him to refuse success to his people. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/the withered fig tree.htm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... They are honesty, sincerity, good works, service to our ... to be found among them anger,
evil desire, unholy ... mentions (ch.29, 13), saying: "This people draw nigh ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... He said, "If it seem evil unto you to serve the ... by the answer returned by the
people,""God forbid ... Covenanting should be engaged in with sincerity, and with a ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... In regenerating his people God indeed accomplishes this much ... just and unjust, good
and evil, virtue and ... then, between whoredom and chastity, sincerity and craft ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm

The Waldenses.
... but his appearance of humility, his sincerity, his earnestness ... was watched by the
prince of evil, and he ... clouds of error that enveloped the people; it would ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm