Recognizing the Truth
Today, the story narrative is taken from Luke 20:20-24 and deals with recognizing what is true and lies disguised as truth. It is interesting to note that those who can hurt you most are those who appear to speak the truth yet only advance lies. In fact, those who can be most disruptive to the truth are those who only appear to speak the truth.
The Bible tells us to take a long look before placing confidence in those who appear to speak on behalf of righteousness. The warning is specific and revealing as found in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of the false prophets (teachers) who come to you dressed as sheep (appearing gentle and innocent), but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
When my children were young, we would watch a television show called the Smurfs. The Smurfs were little blue people who lived peacefully in the woods, but every once in a while, Gargamel, the main antagonist, would show up and cause all kinds of problems. The Smurfs knew who the enemy was. Now, unlike the Smurfs, the Children of God may not always recognize the enemy, and far from battling one enemy, there are many enemies working for the chief enemy, Satan.
Christians fight spiritual battles constantly and we are by no means on neutral ground. Christians are automatically at odds with unrighteousness. Looking now at the lesson text of Luke 20, we see unrighteous individuals trying to trap Jesus. There is a plot in play to deliver Jesus up to the authorities and to discredit him before his followers.
Those who opposed Jesus would not confront him directly. So, they resorted to trickery and promulgating a one-sided view of the truth.
Today, it may be hard to recognize the ungodly because they have hidden themselves in plain sight pretending to care for the downtrodden, the elderly and the weak, yet they are wolves in plain clothes. They dare not attack directly but pretend to be allies in righteousness.
Jesus’ opposers tried to trap him with a question, but before that they tried to stroke his ego by calling him “Master” and telling him what a great teacher he was. They dared to flatter him to push him into their net of treachery. Jesus saw them for what they were, hypocrites!
The question posed to Jesus explored if he and his followers should pay taxes. Jesus knew if he answered “yes” to paying taxes his followers would feel betrayed, and if he answered “no” the tricksters would report him to the Roman government. The hypocrites wanted him to say “no.” However, Jesus answered the question with a question. He asked for a penny and asked whose picture was on the money. Those around Jesus answered that Caesar was on the money. Jesus replied to the answer and said to, “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”
Jesus knew the hearts of his inquisitors and he knew it was not about the money. We, though being followers of Jesus, do not discern as Jesus. However, Jesus has given us tools to root out the truth:
1. We can ask for wisdom. An example of this can be found in 2 Chronicles 1:10, when Solomon asked God for wisdom. God granted Solomon his request. The Bible tells us that if any man lacks wisdom, he is to ask for wisdom from the Lord.
2. Don’t rely on sight. Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. So, it is no great surprise if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. So, how do we determine if a person is one of righteousness or working with Satan? Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that we are recognized by the fruit that we produce. Therefore, an imposter of righteousness cannot bear good fruit.
3. Stay connected to the Lord. As challenges come and go and battles are waged between good and evil, we may stumble, but God will restore us. Job 22:23 says, “If you return to the Almighty (and submit and humble yourself before him), you will be built up (and restored).
