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Oct 06, 2023 18:30pm

What Would You Do?

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“What would you do in this situation?”

This was a question I would pose to my former students during interview preparation. These weren’t easy questions. They were controversial topics that could incite emotional reactions. I wanted them to be ready as the tough questions were rapidly fired at them. The reasoning behind it was to see how they responded while under pressure. Intense situations can cause us to put up our defenses. Many times resulting in the “fight or flight” response. But the idea here was to encourage them to see both sides of the argument and answer calmly, with empathy and reasoning.

I’d listen carefully to their response. Again, the idea was to make them better prepared for the real deal. I was intent in finding a tiny flaw to focus on. I would take the opposition no matter the subject just to see how I could trip them up.

Luke 11:53-54

“And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.”

Urge him vehemently – to oppose him fiercely. The Pharisees knew what they were doing. Jesus’ words had struck a chord within them. They thought they were smart. In most cases, they could fire questions at someone and trip them up, finding that tiny flaw in their response to pounce and devour their logic or reasoning.

They were foolish enough to think they could do the same with Jesus.

They wanted to trap Him in His own words, trick Him into saying something blasphemous. And then, they would have exactly what they needed to disprove Jesus and His teachings, His claims, and His miracles.

But it never happened. Not once did Jesus falter. Not once did He slip up in His response to their hate filled questions and accusations.

He simply responded with truth.

Do you ever feel like that? Like there are people who are just waiting on you to mess up? Maybe they even poke and prod trying to get you fired up.

And maybe you’ve responded. Maybe you’ve lashed out in anger. Maybe you’ve let them get the best of you.

Or perhaps, you’re the one doing the antagonizing…

Let’s look to Jesus as our example.

1. Stay focused to the mission at hand. God has a purpose for you. Stay on task. Do not get distracted.

2. If a response is necessary, do so with truth and love.

3. When they do not listen to truth, when they still see you as the enemy and try to encourage others to think the same, move on. As Jesus urged His disciples, “shake the dust off your feet.”

There will always be an enemy who seeks to destroy your testimony and work for the Lord. Don’t lose focus. Keep working for Him and respond accordingly.