KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 12:10 (KJV).  “And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.”

Everyone has those who love and are ready to stand by him through thick and thin. There are some who would scheme to put you down, especially if you are making any headway in life. Some may be your fellow workers. Some spouses unfortunately become opposes to their mates. These Pharisees in the time of Christ, tried to get him to speak against the word of God, but as hard as they tried, they were never successful. How was the Lord able to outwit them throughout?

1.He never allowed their wrong intentions to drive him mad. There are a lot of people who just get very upset with their opposers, and so are not able to think through their answers very well. They fall into the trap that the opposers have planned. Some homes have never known peace because each party has a boiling heart ready to unleash his piece of mind.

2. He used the principle in James 1:19, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”— James 1:19 (KJV) We see that the Lord was swift to hear. That is to listen attentively to the one speaking. He was slow to respond. He thought through what they said and considered the best response to give them. In our scriptural subject of discussion, they asked Him, should one heal on the sabbath day? He likewise responded with another question. In such tricky moments question in response to a question always keeps you from committing yourself. The Lord was never offended by their tricks but held His calm. The Lord Jesus was always successful in communicating with those who opposed him because he had a loving heart to give His best to save the situation.

In the gospel of John chapter 8, a woman who was supposed to have been caught in the act of adultery was brought to Jesus. They told Him that, Moses said such a person should be stoned to death, what does He say? The Lord did not answer immediately, but wrote on the floor. He then asked the accusing multitude, if any of them had not committed sin, let him first cast the first stone? He bowed His head again. After some moments He asked the woman where are your accusers? They were all gone. His love for the victimized gave Him right answers to give His opponents. Wisdom is always a function of true love. Anyone with true love for people and especially his or her spouse, would always find the right answers for very difficult situations.  Wickedness and hatred are a nursery ground for foolish answers.

PRAYERS

Father, I pray you fill me with a heart of love for all persons at all times. That I may receive the right answers for them always.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mark 12 :15&16.  Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?  And they said unto him, Caesar’s.

 Proverbs 15:1 (KJV). “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”