Pretenders are those who judge others for minor faults while ignoring or justifying their own much more serious sins. They appear to be performing a kindly act to help their brother out, but they are blind to or overlooking their own monumental sin. These individuals are labeled as hypocrites, suggesting that they know about their sin but are ignoring it, tolerating it, or justifying it to themselves. They arrogantly presume they are qualified to help others, pretending to be more spiritual, when in reality, they are the more guilty and stand condemned under the law.

Pretenders often arise where there is an opportunity for personal gain, especially in environments where Christianity is popular. These individuals may claim to be inspired or truthful, but their true intentions and beliefs can be discerned through the gift of discerning of spirits, which is a spiritual power given by the Holy Spirit. This gift allows one to determine whether a person who pretends to be truthful or inspired is an impostor or not. It also enables the discerning of whether someone is sincere in their claim to be a Christian. Pastors and elders typically possess more discernment in this area. The apostles demonstrated this power, as seen in the cases of Ananias and Sapphira and Paul with Elymas. The discerning of spirits is crucial for distinguishing between those who are genuinely inspired by God and those who are not, helping to prevent the deception of false ministers within the church.

The Gibeonites, who were actually Hivites, resorted to a ruse to deceive the Israelites. They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land, using worn-out sacks, old wineskins, patched sandals, and moldy bread to convince the Israelites of their story. Their deception worked because the Israelites did not inquire of the Lord before making a treaty with them. The Gibeonites achieved their goal of sparing their lives, but as a consequence, they were made servants to the Israelites, performing menial duties at the altar of the Lord. Despite their deceit, they remained loyal to Israel and were integrated into the community, serving at the altar where sacrifices for sins were made. Their inclusion in the covenant community, similar to Rahab, serves as a reminder not to look down on others and to represent a true witness of Christ's life.

Pretenders are individuals who falsely claim to be inspired or Christian. They are distinguished from true believers by those with the gift of discerning spirits, which allows them to judge whether someone's actions or prophecies are driven by God's Spirit or a false spirit. This gift is crucial for preventing deception within the church, as it helps identify those who might be impostors or insincere in their faith. The apostles demonstrated this ability, as seen in cases like Ananias and Sapphira, and Elymas, where they discerned deceit and false spirits. The gift of discerning spirits is vital for church leaders and members alike to protect against false ministers and to ensure the integrity of the church's teachings and fellowship.