“So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.”
I’ve known some very sincere people and I known a few who “pretended to be sincere.” I like the sincere ones better. The Bible teaches us to be on guard against insincerity...
“Don't eat at the table of a stingy person or be greedy for the fine food he serves. ‘Come
on and have some more,’ he says, but he doesn’t mean it. What he thinks is what
he really is. You will vomit up what you have eaten, your flattery will be wasted.”
Proverbs 23.6-8 GNT

We want to believe the best about people and give them the ‘benefit of the doubt. It makes us feel magnanimous and liberal of spirit. While such belief in humanity seems big-hearted and open minded, it may prove disastrous. Not everyone you meet is authentic nor is all you hear true. You may have met people who “pretended to be sincere.” You trusted them and relied on what they said. You chose to ignore the warning signs along the way. That was a mistake, wasn’t it?
Look, listen, and learn. A man will eventually betray his thoughts or reveal his inner person, and when he does, you will know who he really is. A person is what he thinks, not necessarily what he says at your first encounter.
“What he thinks is what he really is.”
Proverbs 23.7 GNT
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