Topic: Shrewd as Snakes
In the book of Matthew, Jesus warns us about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ferocious wolves. This is a powerful metaphor that speaks to the deceptive nature of these individuals. They appear harmless, even friendly, on the outside, but their true intentions are harmful. They are not genuine sheep of the flock, but predators in disguise. This is a call for us to be discerning, to be vigilant. It's not enough to take things at face value. We must look deeper, beyond the surface, to the heart of the matter. We must be able to recognize the red flags that signal danger. Examining the fruit that a person bears: In other words, we should look at their actions, their behaviors, their character. Are they consistent with the teachings of Christ? Do they demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Or do they exhibit traits that are contrary to these fruits of the Spirit? This is not a call to be judgmental, but to be discerning.
Matthew 10:16: Jesus tells His disciples, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." This is a call to discernment. It's a reminder that we are living in a world that is often hostile to the teachings of Christ. We are surrounded by influences that can lead us astray if we are not careful.
Being shrewd as snakes: This means being wise, being discerning. It means being able to recognize the tactics of the enemy and to resist them. It means being able to see through the deception and to stand firm in the truth.
Being innocent as doves: This means being pure, being blameless. It means not participating in the harmful behaviors and attitudes that the world often promotes. It means living in a way that is consistent with the teachings of Christ, even when it's not popular or easy to do so.
Matthew paints a vivid picture of the spiritual wolves we are likely to encounter. These wolves, as Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:15, come to us in sheep's clothing. They blend in, looking just like the rest of the flock. Yet, beneath their woolly exterior, they are ferocious predators, ready to tear apart the unity and peace of the church. Their deceptive nature. They don't announce their intentions or reveal their true character upfront. Instead, they disguise themselves, often appearing as the most devout and committed members of the church. They know the right words to say, the right actions to take, and the right people to align with. They are masters of manipulation, using their knowledge of the Scriptures and the church's culture to gain trust and influence.
We are not helpless in the face of these wolves. Jesus has given us the tools we need to recognize and resist them. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us, the Scriptures to instruct us and the community of believers to support us. We are not alone in this battle, and with God's help, we can stand firm against the wolves that threaten to tear apart our church.
It’s good to remember that the love of God is our guiding light. It's His love that gives us the strength to discern right from almost right. It's His love that equips us to recognize the wolves in sheep's clothing. And it's His love that empowers us to resist the allure of power that isn't rooted in His will. As believers we are not just sheep among wolves. We're God's sheep, and He is our Good Shepherd. He's promised to guide us, protect us and provide for us. And His promises are true. So, let's trust Him, follow Him, and love Him with all our hearts, all our souls and all our minds.
See you Sunday,
Dr. Scott Kallem