Matthew 10:16

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

These were Christ's words when he sent out his 12 disciples to share the good news, heal the sick, and drive out evil spirits in his name. We were involved in a situation this weekend that left me crying out to God to please help us be as he commanded. Much like the man who said, "I believe, please help my unbelief!', I was pleading with God to make us and our friend more shrewd while at the same time avoiding sinful thoughts or behavior of our own.

It is a tough balance for us, and led to a late night talk tonight with one of our sons. How do we truly love those that God brings into our lives, without falling into the trap of enabling or excusing their sin? How can we know where our responsibility ends, and God's begins? How can we know who the other sheep are, and not be deceived by the wolves among us?

Just last week another dear friend shared how she has been focusing on 1 Corinthians 13, the chapter that defines love. I think that as Christians, it is easy to get confused and think that love requires us to be gullible, or at least tolerant. But Christ's words here convey something very different to me. We can grieve at the pain and brokenness we see all around us that results from sin, but we need to realize that not everyone wants to live in the light of God's truth. There are wolves in the world, and we are not called to sacrifice our own well-being to fulfill their desires. We need to be shrewd, 'street smart', or at least wise enough to recognize our own limitations and boundaries.

When we allow those wolves to continue their wolf-like behavior at our expense, we are no longer innocent as doves. We wind up stained by their sin, and taking it on ourselves. We can bring light to the dark places, but if our loved ones prefer to remain hidden in the shadows, we aren't doing anyone any good by joining them there.

Food for thought, God's command in Micah 6:8 "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." is not always as easy as it sounds.