Deception Scams and Lies

Deception scams and lies, none of us are immune to them. We would like to think, “Naw, it won’t happen to me…I’m too street wise,” or if we are a Christian, I have discernment. But if I were to admit it, often times pride just convinces me I have too much savvy to be taken in by some huckster. However…right there…in “that” attitude is the first danger. We will get to the point where we “think” we know and so are “immune.” Oh have I been there…yes sir, been there, done that and bought the T-shirt!

            Jesus cautions His followers time and time again to be on the alert! And against who? The deceptions, scams and lies of the Pharisees…the very ones they are suppose to be able to believe. Do we have Pharisees today? You bet! Paul cautioned more about the sheep in wolves clothing “in” the church than the wolves outside of the church. Why? Because hucksters will use our own philosophy of love and trust against us and #1…we let our guard down due to the arrogance of the “I can handle this” attitude.

            In the NRSV version, in Matthew 10:16, Jesus instructs His twelve disciples… “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves (and they were being sent ONLY to the Jews! The descendents of the children of Israel – God’s people…listen Jesus is calling these people wolves!); so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Again in Luke 10: 3, Jesus again instructs, now the 72 followers, as they go out…to be like lambs among the wolves!

Isn’t it ironic that Jesus counsels His followers to be WISE as serpents? The very symbol of evil that has been used since the Garden of Eden when Satan came in the guise of a snake to deceive, lie and scam Adam and Eve. (See Genesis 3) The NIV version describes the serpent Jesus is warning against as “shrewd.” 

Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary found at http://www.1828-dictionary.com/d/search/word,shrewd gives this definition:

Able or clever in practical affairs; sharp in business; astute; sharp-witted; sagacious; keen; as, a shrewd observer; a shrewd design; a shrewd reply.

Professing to despise the ill opinion of mankind creates a shrewd suspicion that we have deserved it. Secker.

Synonyms. -- Keen; critical; subtle; artful; astute; sagacious; discerning; acute; penetrating, sagacious

Shrewd

One who is shrewd is keen to detect errors, to penetrate disguises, to foresee and guard against the selfishness of others. 

We, followers of Jesus, Christians, are indeed to sharp, astute, keen, and sagacious. Although sagacious is a synonym of shrewd, it is a word of less dignity than sagacious, which implies a comprehensive as well as penetrating mind, whereas shrewd does not.

Yet Jesus also instructs us to be gentle as doves! Therefore we are to walk in gentleness – love – wisdom! What a dichotomy! Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15 that we are to speak the truth in love. Be shrewd in love, be sagacious in love.

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into

  Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Romans 12:9 says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”

And Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully

                                    to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

Finally 2nd Corinthians 4:2 declares,

            “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;

we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.

On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we

commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”

We must look at everything we do or say…in truth and love…However, we must also look at everything someone else says. And we MUST look at it in TRUTH and love. Gently but with shrewdness. Examine the fruit – not the stumblings as we all do that, everybody stumbles at one point or another…but the fruit…what is left in the wake of their walk. What is it people experience at the hands of this “believer?”

Then, as I have learned the hard way…once God has made it clear…believe the truth! Not what I want to believe. Not what I would wish” could be true; hanging on and making decisions which in the end I brings me to say, “sorry Lord, you were warning me…forgive me my arrogant heart.”

It isn’t always easy to admit the truth – even in regards to someone else but God has instructed us to be sagaciously wise, shrewd – and walk in love – even if that means walking away from what “sounds” like it “could be” the great opportunity we have been waiting for. Nothing is by accident, God, more than anything wants us to learn to trust in Him and Him only. In Him we are safe and His plans will lay themselves out and bring us to the desired end which glorifies God and only God.

© 2010 Ulrike Grace