Re: View

Ian El-Paget January 30, 2025 3 0

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Luke 20: 20-26 (NIVUK)

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Today’s reading is a great example of discernment, an example of wisdom in conversation in the way of the world ‘situational analysis’ as it is called sometimes. As we read it, it reads easy and we think this is something we should all do… yet I cannot count the number of times I have been blindsided by a question, tricked by a conversation carrying an agenda. Discernment, it comes from wisdom, comes from the fear of the Lord, and from the presence of the Holy Spirit.

They say that to train people to know and recognise counterfeit money they focus, focus on the real thing, on the genuine article, on truth. Then when lies come, when deception comes, when falsehood comes — it is glaring.

Today in your worship draw close to the one true God, draw close to the one who is the way, the truth, your life. Draw close to the genuine article of our Faith. Then when you go about your day the false will be glaring at you, deception will be apparent.

And don’t be afraid to ask for wisdom, the book of James tells us that the Lord will give to you without finding fault. So ask with confidence, ask believing, and ask fearing God rather than men.

Prayer:

Father, before I step into today, I stop and take time to dwell in your presence, in the presence of truth, in the presence of life and complete fidelity. I choose to gaze upon your glory, your excellence, your majesty. I choose to become familiar with that which is perfection.

And as I leave this place of beholding. I ask for wisdom to discern truth from lies, righteousness from corruption, good from evil, and right from wrong.

May I retake any conversations, not to win, but take captive every thought and make it obedient unto You. 

Amen