"Teacher Trickers"
EPISODE 118
Silence the Insincere Softly
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Have you ever seen an anglerfish? This deepsea predator uses a tactic called "aggressive mimicry" to capture its prey using a kind of glowing fishing rod on its head. While an unsuspecting fish is mesmerized by the harmless glowing light, it never sees the giant jaws of the hunter coming to eat them. It's the same tactic the religious leaders used to try and trap Jesus in his words.
"So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor" (Luke 20:20).
Malicious Motivation
"The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people" (Luke 20:19).
The religious leaders were offended and wanted to kill him. When someone hurts us, it's easy to let our anger take control. We stop listening, stop reasoning, and become laser-focused on "getting even." If we're not careful, we'll lash out. Or maybe we'll just "stew on it," thinking about how to retaliate.
If you've ever felt this way, remember that man's anger never produces God's righteousness (James 1:20).
Insincere Inquiries
"So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"" (Luke 20:21-22).
Doesn't their question seem sincere? There's nothing wrong with asking questions about the Bible. But what are we trying to accomplish? If we're sincerely seeking to know God's will for our lives, then we're on the right path. But if we're aiming to undermine the credibility of the Bible, twisting the Scriptures, we're headed down a destructive path (2 Peter 3:16).
Caught in Craftiness
"But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?" They said, "Caesar's." He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent" (Luke 20:23-26).
Jesus saw beyond the facade and silenced them with his response. Unlike Jesus, sometimes it's hard to know when people are trying to trap us today. So let's be on guard and test every spirit (1 John 4:1) — ready to answer like Jesus did, with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
May God give us a heart of sincerity in seeking him. And may our words and conduct silence our critics like Jesus did (1 Peter 2:12, 15).
