Becoming Like Wolves

 Every day, we are given a lot of information about the world around us. That information can come in many different forms, such as media, people, or just simple observations we make. In fact, a lot of what we learn comes from those simple observations, using logic and common sense, and forming a reasonable idea. Isn't that what also makes a good detective show? I may be telling on myself a little, but I like a good old classic Columbo episode to take the edge off the realities of the world these days. You remember–the guy with the trademark squint, wrinkly trench coat, and always smoking at the crime scene? Peter Falk–great old show! He seems to notice the small details that everyone else misses. I'm amused by the way he disarms the suspects by seeming to be taken in by their lies and flippant answers, and how he pretends to get distracted by trivial things just to throw them off.  It is clever, isn't it? The way foolishness or presumed charm covers up his deception? 

What about in this world? Think about the deception we encounter on a daily basis. The wolves prowling about. But what about the ones who seem like sheep? Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. In this Biblical context, false prophets are the ones who are spreading false teachings of God, and are doing so out of motivations of money, power, and fame. They make themselves appear larger, but minimize the Word of God to do so. It has just enough truth to make it seem right, but it's not quite there. And how often are we also being fooled by the information we take in day after day because it sounds like what we want to hear, and has just enough truth to seem right? Billy Graham said, "There are two ingredients to deceit: a good bit of truth and a few little lies." 

 What happens to all of that information we are taking in? And how do we know if the people giving it to us are wolves? How much of it is good for our spirits and how much of it is doing damage of which we aren't even aware? We hear of becoming desensitized to things that we see over and over, because it becomes a standard after awhile. But just because we become used to something, it doesn't mean it's not doing a number on us quietly and slowly as we take it in. Are we becoming like Columbo suspects–committing "crimes" of not paying attention or not really listening, and then being caught unaware by the actual speaking or unveiling of facts? I think so, and probably every day. "False prophets" aren't just people in the ministries around the world. False teachers can be anywhere. I am often shocked by what we sometimes accept as truth or fact, before we even try to search out what we heard for ourselves. John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Not only do we need to be mindful of the information we take in, but we need to know the Word of God for ourselves so that we aren't fooled by those who aren't teaching it correctly or for the right reasons. When we are firmly planted, we aren't willing to just believe everything we hear as gospel truth. We will challenge it. 

I got tested at a store this past weekend. I was picking up a few things for my Chicken Coconut Curry recipe, and I happened to see someone wearing a shirt that boldly spelled out some polarizing social and political beliefs. I struggle on the word, "beliefs," as they were just downright mean words, and I was all up in my judge Judy-ness and disgust.  I struggled with my own angry feelings toward this person. "If you don't have anything nice to say...." as I broke my own rules in my head. As we got in the car to leave, I said, "Sometimes it's nice when people come with their own sign so I know how's it's going to be with them before I even start. Then I just won't bother to try." I felt unkind, to say the least. These types of "tests," if we are willing to challenge ourselves, show us the work we still need to do, not just in ourselves, but as a society. Because if we are still this angry after everything we've seen and everything we've heard, and we still haven't learned anything, we are at risk of becoming like the wolves. And contrary to some beliefs, in this context, being a wolf is not a compliment, nor a sheep an insult. It's not a grace-filled, Christlike, loving quality to want to tear into somebody because they are wearing an unnecessary (to say the least) shirt in a public place, clearly for the message to strike and wound someone. Yet there has been a lot of tearing going on for much less. It's a touchy world, and clearly, I'm still a little touchy too. Ugh! Egos are messy–theirs and mine. John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. 

 One article I read recently indicated that the person being interviewed only wanted to be responsible for herself, and didn't think she should have to care about the needs or even the problems of others. In other words, "Every man or woman for themselves." But that very thinking will also affect them at the moment their own needs become greater than they can handle on their own. For when they do, they will find someone at their door, whether it is a stranger from a local church, a community member, a neighbor, a family member, or a friend. Or a stranger lending some time of physical rescue, or helping with a flat along the road. People need people, and even people we don't know who need things we may never need. But how long will the world actually stay this way? I'm feeling a bit of a shift when I start hearing these words being spoken, for the opposite used to be the norm. When one would be lauded for a Good Samaritan act, the words of the interviewed hero were always, "It's what anyone would do in the same situation." Those feel-good stories lifted everyone up and reminded them that people were still genuinely good and helpful. I feel sad that I'm not sure I have that trigger-quick assurance anymore. Grace seems to be like many in customer service these days–in a mass shortage of selfless helpers. I'm just noticing a lot of people shrinking away from the kind of help of which we were once accustomed. Philippians 2:4 (NIRV)None of you should look out for just your own good. Each of you should also look out for the good of others. 

People have become so pressed about many things. Finances, politics, education, work, religion, time, etc. And even as I say this, I realize people have always been pressed about these things. It's not that these topics have changed or that people have changed that much. It might be that our tolerance levels and our love for people may be changing. Or as I stated above, our grace levels are being drained at a time when we need them to be overflowing. We seem to be becoming more self-driven and self-focused, and selfish to the point that we can't tolerate things that don't line up with our beliefs (me and the shirt, for example), our income levels, our expectations, or our personal satisfaction. Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

 In a time when we seem to need each other more and more, people seem to be walking away from each other. I don't know about you, but this seems to be going in the opposite direction of what we all say we need. I want to be more loving, but I couldn't wait to get farther away from the shirt person. Is that what I need when I'm being a numbskull? I have a friend who gives me grace ALL the time. I don't deserve it, but I get it all the time. When we can't give other people grace for their mistakes, it's because we are full of ourselves and not full of God. We've forgotten that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

 God didn't ask us to judge everyone before we help them. Just like He didn't ask me to judge the person in the offensive (to me) shirt at the store. God asks us to love AND serve others in a way that glorifies Him, reflecting our love for Him, not our own opinions and our preferences. Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, ' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'  I had to repent of the judgment and anger I felt over my reaction to that shirt, but pray also for the person who wore it. Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If I had given the person a dirty look, how would that have reflected Christ who lives in me? I have to be careful that I don't become one of the people I talk about, as my mentor reminds me. "Don't become the problem you're writing about," he warns. My own ego and pride and wrong information can also grow into something ugly if I'm not turning to God for my influence on everything. 

 Matthew 16:11 How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." The yeast Jesus is talking about here is negative information that when listened to over and over, grows, influences and corrupts our own character. It's no secret that there are a lot of bad influences out there and there are some easy ways to spread them around. Some of them even seem pretty harmless, especially when they aren't measured up with the Word of God. When listened to enough, we begin to believe the voices that are louder than the hush of peace. Bolder than the still, small voice inside of us that continues to whisper, "Trust in me." The things we begin to believe–when they don't line up with what God says–serve to weaken us. One of those things that goes around is "the world is getting so terrible. You better hold on to what you have before someone tries to take it. You better get more before someone else gets it. You better stock up before it's all gone. Why should we help "those" people?"  When this is the constant narrative that is being served up and devoured, what exactly do we expect people to act like? Monks and nuns? More like savages and well, hungry wolves. 

Can we stand in the midst of uncertainty, in the yeast of the Pharisees, and still stand firm in the faith of God? I believe we can when we trust in God for our daily needs. When we turn to Him for our community needs. When we pray for the needs of our states, provinces, or territories in all of our countries. When we turn to Him and fervently hold up our leaders, every situation, every person, including ourselves, and entrust God with all of it, we will get His peace in return. We are His sheep. John 10:3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes out ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. We are under His protection and His watchful eye. All of us who know His voice have the assurance that He knows every need before we even speak of it. 

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.