Beware when people say good things about you
Sad to say…but this is true so, so many times
And sometimes this may be from those
Who you thought were “friends”…
People, you may have known,
A number of years…
Not close friends but close enough
To be considered as “friends”
“Teacher, we know that You are true,
and teach the way of God in truth;
nor do You care about anyone,
for You do not regard the person of men.”
(Matthew 22:16)
This is what the disciples
Of the Pharisees said to Jesus
And everything that they said
Was complimentary and truthful
About Jesus
But their motive…
The reason why they were…
“Buttering Him up”
Was to trick Him and trap Him
And if they did that sort of thing
To Jesus…
People today will do that same
Sort of thing to you
Because you are a Christian…
Trying to trap you with “words”
Into saying or doing something
So that they can discredit you
And make your “witness”
Of none effect…
And as sad as that may sound…
If they did it to Jesus
Then they will do it to you
Since you bear His Name
Persecution so often is more subtle
Than physical pain…
Though that may come too
As was the case for Jesus
So what was the reason for all
This flattery to Jesus?
“Tell us, therefore, what do You think?
Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
(Matthew 22:17)
Now watch what Jesus “says” and “does”
“But Jesus perceived their wickedness,
and said,
“Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
Show Me the tax money.”
So they brought Him a denarius.”
(Matthew 22:18 – 19)
Jesus was wise…
He saw (or heard from the Holy Spirit)
Their wrong motives…
“Their wickedness”
And He “called them out”
“Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?”
And then He took action:
“Show Me the tax money.”
So they brought Him a denarius.”
In this case, as is so often the case
He met them head on
And faced the challenge head on
“And He said to them,
“Whose image and inscription is this?”
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
And He said to them,
“Render therefore to Caesar the things
that are Caesar’s,
and to God the things that are God’s.””
(Matthew 22:20 – 21)
Again Jesus showed and exercised wisdom
But again I believe He was led by the Holy Spirit
I say this as we need the Holy Spirit
To give us wisdom and help us
As we are NOT Jesus
If Jesus was able to solve these problems
By Himself
Then we are in trouble
But since He prayed to the Father
And was filled with the Holy Spirit
And power at His baptism
“He only did what He saw His Father doing”
(John 5:19)
As born again spirit filled believers
We are to do likewise
And depend on God’s help
By way of prayer to Our Father
And walking in and according to
The Holy Spirit
He does NOT call us to Himself
And then let’s us “get on with it”
By ourselves
But rather we have His Spirit within
“For our bodies are temples of
The Holy Spirit wherein He dwells”
(1 Corinthians 3:16)
So beware…
And be on your guard…
And stay close to Him…
Walk with Him daily…
And be prepared for whatever
May come your way…