Sham – Pretence Behind a False Impression
A sham is a mask or facade which hides the real state of affairs by giving a false impression or image. It is an outward show that does not match the inward truth: looking right while being wrong, and appearing spiritual while being empty.
A Mask That Hides the Truth
A sham is more than a simple mistake or an exaggeration; it is deliberate image management. Behind the mask, the real state of affairs is very different from the impression being given. The mask exists precisely because the truth would be costly, embarrassing or inconvenient – so the pretence does the hiding, and the person doing the hiding can end up believing their own performance.
King Herod was lying when he said he wanted to worship the baby Jesus. Behind his pious words lay a hidden agenda: his real intention was to dispose of this threat to his position. His outward devotion was a sham, carefully staged to conceal a murderous intent – he even enlisted the Magi as unwitting informants before turning to violence when his deception failed (Mt 2:7-8,12-13).
Be the real deal – sincere and honest
The Pharisees had perfected the art of religious performance, staging an impressive display of devotion that won them the admiration and praise of the crowds (Mt 6:1-6,16-18; 23:5-7).
Pretence in Everyday Life
Working hard only when the boss is watching is a sham, as is false humility – trying to be what you are not (Gal 6:5-8; Col 3:22). Claiming to live a sinless life is deception (1 Jn 1:8-10). We might be able to fool people, but not God.
Because God already sees what lies beneath every mask, the honest response is not better image management but David's open-hearted prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me" (Ps 139:23,24). Inviting God's searching light into the hidden places is the opposite of a sham – it is the beginning of genuine, unpretended faith.
Being honest with God, will shape your relationships with others
Being genuine doesn't rule out the power of a positive mental attitude or the value of projection by acting as you want to be, but it does eliminate falsely thinking and believing something that is far from the truth. The church in Sardis was not aware of their true spiritual condition, claiming to have life, while in fact their spirituality was as good as dead (Rev 3:1).
Often people make an effort to over-compensate when out of balance – for example, a workaholic is normally trying to hide a deficiency in another area of life.
Reflection and Application:
- Ask God to search your heart and expose any pretence hidden there.
- Aim to be the same person in public and in private – one life, no mask.
- Work with integrity even when no one is watching.
- Confess failure honestly rather than projecting a flawless image.
See also: deception, false, genuine, honesty, image, impress, pretence, reality.