WORDS TO REMEMBER (florilegium, latin – “flower-sipping” or “flower-culling”): These are short portions of biblical texts and sayings (aphorisms for meditation) that sum up and distill the essential teachings of the whole Scripture.

 

THEME: Being Cautious

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:15-16 & Matthew 10:16 (surrounding text for both Scriptures)

 

DAILY LIFE SITUATION: Dealing With A “Sticky Situation”

Many times in life we find that we have to deal with some “sticky situations”. Some other words used to describe a “sticky situation” are: awkward, impossible, critical, testing, dilemma, delicate, sensitive, etc. Here, I prefer to describe it as a delicate or sensitive situation. Unlike a “tricky” situation which usually refers to a mentally/physically difficult situation, a “sticky” situation usually refers to a situation where you could potentially be in trouble with someone if you are not careful with your response in that given situation. Sometimes these situations develop naturally through our interaction with others, but other times they can be deliberate setups.

To illustrate the meaning of a “sticky situation” I will refer to a Biblical account of a time when Jesus was involved in a controversy with some Jewish rulers. While there are many examples of this kind of interaction, I will focus on His controversy with the Herodians recorded in Luke 20:20-26, Mark 12:13-17 and Mt. 22:15-22.

The Herodians were members of an aristocratic Jewish group that supported the dynasty of Herod, who was a ruler of the Roman province of Judaea (Holman Bible Dictionary, p. 755). During this time, the Pharisees had some reluctance to paying a tax to the Roman government because it would show recognition of their oppression under the Romans. And even though Pharisees did not like the Herodians, they liked Jesus even less. So they sent some of their people to join in with the Herodians to “catch Him [Jesus] in His words”. They wanted people from both sides of the tax issue to hear His response. (Mark 12:13).

They went to Jesus first, trying to flatter Him by telling Him that they knew He was a true teacher from God, when in actuality, they did not believe in Him. Then they asked Him: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Commentators say the Herodians, who were supposedly political experts, thought they had Jesus on the “horns of a dilemma”. If He said it was lawful, He could be accused of siding with the Romans as opposed to the Jews. If He said it was not right to give tribute to Caesar, then He could be accused of rebellion against Roman law (“Jesus’ Controversy with the Jewish Rulers”, Bible.org). This is quite a “sticky situation”. But Jesus was aware of their hypocrisy and asked them, “Why do you test Me (v.15)?” He finally answered them by saying: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s”. The Scripture says: “But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent (Luke 20:26).” This is an example of only one of the “sticky situations” in which Jesus found Himself — for there was no shortage of “sticky situations” in Jesus’ ministry.

We will now turn our attention to two other Scriptures that give us some advice on how to function when we find ourselves in a sticky situation — as we will have our share of them. One word is from Jesus in Matthew 10:16 and the other is from the writer of Ephesians in Eph. 5:15-16.

 

First Text: Matthew 10:16

In Matthew Chapter 10, Jesus was preparing to send His disciples out to preach to the “lost sheep of the House of Israel” to tell them that the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The lost sheep were fellow Jews who were considered lost not only because of the sins of Adam, but also, as speculation has it, “because they were made to go astray, and were lost through the negligence and errors of their pastors, the Scribes and Pharisees (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible).” They were wandering around “shepherd less” (Pulpit Commentary).

It is understood that the message the disciples were to deliver to these “lost sheep” was a needed message; however, not one that they would eagerly accept. Jesus knew that His disciples would probably be persecuted and all kinds of evil things could happen to them. So He told them: “Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless of doves (Matthew 10:16).” He used this comparison possibly because the serpent is known to be subtle. Its wisdom is apparent in the quickness of its perception of danger and the rapidity with which it escapes from it. The dove is harmless in that it is simple (Pulpit Commentary).

 

Second Text: Ephesians 5:15-16

In the book of Ephesians, the newly converted Jews and Gentiles of the Church are cautioned about their conduct, not just before men, but before God. Not only were they still living around others that had not been converted, but they themselves were still adjusting to the newness of life. The author of the letter wanted to make sure that they no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles who were still alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them; who were still giving themselves to works of uncleanness and deceitful lusts, etc. (Eph 4:17-19). The new converts were expected to be “imitators of God as dear children” (Eph. 5:1.) and walk in love (v.2). They were to have “no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them (v.11).” After giving extremely detailed instructions on their expected conduct, the writer gave them a summarizing statement of those expectations in Ephesians 5:15. It says: “See that you walk circumspectly [thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something] not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

 

Lesson Learned:

As we can see from all the Scriptures we have explored, it is urgent that we exercise extreme caution when we are confronted with a sticky situation. Many times our own emotions are the culprit: We become overwhelmed and our judgment becomes cloudy. This can cause us to make unwise decisions as related to how we should respond. In a situation like that, it might be helpful to see ourselves as “sheep in the midst of wolves” and try to remember at least one of the two words of advice: “…be wise as serpents and harmless of doves. (Matthew 10:16) and/or “…walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise … because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15)”. Then pray and let the Holy Spirit have His way. A wise response will come.

 

Note:  Let us understand that in spite of all the “words we remember”, our guidance always comes from the Holy Spirit, whose job is to “lead us in all truths”.