Guided by the Spirit
Imagine spending your time trying to trap someone into saying something that would prove them wrong.
When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?” They said, “The emperor’s.” He said to them, “Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent. - Luke 20:19-26
These people must have driven Jesus crazy with their continuous attempts to trip him up. Here they want him to say that it is not lawful to pay tax to Caesar. That would surely get him in trouble.
But he doesn't fall into their trap. He is smarter than that.
We read this story and ask ourselves if we would be that clever. Could we come up with something to get us out of a sticky situation, to avoid being trapped?
In order to find the right words at a time like this, we can't rely on our own cleverness. We have to get help form the Holy Spirit, who is always with us, and always ready to help us with the words we need to say.
For Jesus, it was easy because the connection was always there, close to the surface. He was in constant communication with God and the Spirit. They were and are one.
We, too, can get ourselves into a state of oneness with God, and when we do, the words will come easily.
If we try to rely on our own intellect, though, we will probably fail.
It is about letting go of our egos, and welcoming God in.
If we can do that, we can overcome anything.
More to come...