EXTENDING GRACE TO THE WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16
Do you only seek to think the best of others? Are you reluctant to distrust others? Do you resent those that are critical of others? Are you wise, (by the Lord’s standard?)
I believe that many of us are challenged in this area, yet the basics of God’s directives in this area seem pretty clear. We should not be too demanding of others, but shouldn’t we be wise? Shouldn’t we recognize when the wolf is wearing sheep’s clothing, when the serpent is masquerading as a dove?
Often, the most intolerant among us, through cunning, viciously accuse those that are skeptical of their intentions. They follow the lead of the most hateful being to ever live, while pretending that those that oppose them are heartless, and intolerant.
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” Romans 1:22
We should be full of grace, and mercy, for the victims of their own weakness, without ignoring the motives of the vicious. Those who honor the devil, Satan, or Lucifer, are no friend to grace, and mercy. They do not love anyone, no matter how compassionate they claim to be, no matter how much they smile, laugh, or how attractive, or generous they might appear. They are of their father, the devil, by their own choice. They are in need of prayer, that they could be delivered from the snare of the enemy.
“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26
God bless you, Dave