The Cowardice of Dissembling (Dissimulation)

Galatians 2:1  Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2  And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3  But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6  But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10  Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 11  But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12  For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13  And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Paul suffered much from the legalists. He defended the true gospel of grace against the Judaizers

who promoted strict adherence to the works of the law to attain or ensure salvation.

When he returned to Jerusalem for a conference with the Apostles, they at first acted as if they were in complete agreement with his ministry, rejoicing with him that Gentiles were being saved. But when the legalists came around demanding that gentile believers jump through Jewish hoops, the pillars of the faith suddenly switched their tune to appease these legalists. Rather than standing with Paul in defense of the gospel of grace, they remained neutral and didn't have Paul's back in the debate regarding grace vs works.

This infuriated Paul and he had it out face to face with Peter for his wishy-washy fence straddling in order to appease men.

It got so bad that the cat-got-your-tongue disciples caused even Barnabas, a true grace guy, to be persuaded toward legalism.

To dissemble is what happens when a person bites their tongue when they are compelled speak up. It causes them to act as if they are in league with the enemy to keep the peace.

Obviously, there is a time to speak and a time to shut up. But when the gullible are in the balance, the truth must be voiced with conviction, lest the weak get carried away with the error.

And that brings us to you and me today, in our realm of influence. We should be vigilant and conscious of the need to boldly speak up when error is presented and others are in danger of being drawn into heresy.

As Paul indicated in Gal 1:10, His job is to persuade men and please God, not the other way around.

I see it played out on social media. When a person posts some innocuous picture of a birthday party or anniversary, the "likes" pop up like prairie dogs in the summer sun. However, post a gospel friendly meme and the prairie dogs give way to crickets.

What to do? Dissemble and hide who and what you are and what you stand for to placate your FB acquaintances? Or do you continue to be a witness, attempting to persuade others to come to faith in Christ?

At work, at the break table, when the filth starts flying, do you speak up for decency or do you meld into the furniture like a chameleon into the foliage? To become invisible when you ought to show your colors is cowardice. When a matter arises and your convictions are challenged, do you capitulate or do you express what you know is the truth?

I am certainly not suggesting a believer act like a jerk, I am saying we must speak the truth in love when it is called for.

Ecc 3:1,7  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: …a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;