Feigned Submission

(Pro 6:12-15 KJV)  A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.  He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

In my reading I noticed a parallel between Psalms 66 and this verse through at least verse 14.  The verse in Psalms that got my attention misses the point if you are reading the KJV.

(Psa 66:3 KJV)  Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

That sounds good but read the NASB,

(Psa 66:3 NAS77) Say to God, "How awesome are Thy works! Because of the greatness of Thy power Thine enemies will give feigned obedience to Thee.

The KJV word “submit” (3584) is “feigned” in the NASB.  The word does mean to submit but with a spirit of deception.  This is the submission of the traitor or spy.  This is the person who comes to church and testifies gloriously and then steals out of the offering plate.  As you look through the four verses you see a public persona and a private goal that are totally opposed.

First we need to examine ourselves and make sure we are not falling into this kind of thing.  It is easy to be critical of others in areas where we are weak.  In fact, I think that is fairly common.

Then we need to keep our radar on.  Paul warned the church in Ephesus to be alert for wolves in their midst.  We need to have the same awareness.

So?  Check to make sure your spiritual engines are not in neutral.  Part of having free will is a responsibility to be vigilant.