Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.This was no mild or anecdotal description which was intended for us to merely put into the back of our minds, rather, it was the naked assessment of how most of the world, if not at times all the world, was going to see and treat the believer. The world is a world of wolves and we are to operate, day in and day out, minute by minute if it requires, with this reality as our viewpoint.
Our Lord did not teach us to be unsuspecting and suffer needlessly. However, as I read, over and over again, I am observing what appears to be Christians who do not fully understand that Christ our Savior did not promote naivety as a way of life for the believer which seems to be the case for a few people who apparently feel it is somehow required of them to "show their cards" to people who have no good intentions for them. No such obligation exists in the Scriptures.
If one owns a bakery and is a Christian and someone comes requesting he or she make a product that causes offense in one's conscience before God, one is to be wise about this. Establish a process which requires customers to explain everything they are desiring and then explain that the company will contact them if the calender permits this request.
As well, answering questions about who you will and will not serve as a restaurant, as if you are bound to respond to hypotheticals, is gullibly falling into a trap when it could be avoided. Difficulty will arise on its own, or if forced. But revealing to a world of wolves all of your thoughts and intents is to leave a trail to your front door with a key in the lock and an invitation for them to enter in and take what you have.
Think about how our Lord was often confronted with direct questions. He rarely answered them instead, he shrewdly turned the questions back on the inquirers in a number of ways ultimately walking away without ever answering them thereby, taking away their ammunition.
I post this with a caveat. I do not know all of the details of all of the various cases that have arisen as of late but I do know of a few which could have been avoided. Others, on the other hand, may not have been able to be avoided so I am not attempting to judge where I do not have the details and really not judge specifically any case at all.
What I do wish to do is to remind you and encourage you. Remember, dear believer, you are among wolves. Hold your cards close to the vest. Be wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove.
(Yes, I have been busy and have not blogged too much this year. I hope the summer provides more opportunity. I have had a series on marriage that I may be able to do more with by the fall which I believe will be of great edification for my readers).
