Pretext
Acts 13:15 “Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.’
The pretext = a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.
It happens all the time.
‘God has told me’ is often used to get our own way.
These kind of pretexts are displayed before all. The truth is hidden even from ourselves. We convince ourselves and then convince others.
The truth of wanting to take a course of action or of simple opinion and maybe even of revenge is hidden behind the pretext of the Almighty. Is that not taking his name in vain?
‘I’d like to talk to you about …’ may not mean that is the reason for the meeting.
Not every enquiry into your situation is genuine. Just ask Paul!
Missions Paul 