August 3, 2018 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Naïve

We try to teach our children not to be naïve, but often they fail to realize that evil lurks and hides in the most unlikely places. People are not safe today. There are evil people that take joy in hurting others—they find pleasure in causing pain on the innocent.

Darkness is everywhere around us; you and I cannot escape the plans that Satan has placed in the hearts and minds of his followers. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have pain and sorrow, but be encouraged, I have overcome the world.”

I take great comfort in His words and the promise of the Holy Spirit who is living in my life. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would be my Comforter (John 14:16). Jesus does not want us to be naïve, but rather wisdom is to be our guide. It is with the wisdom of God that we can identify what is evil and what is good; what is darkness and what is light.

Wisdom is a commodity that seems lacking in many of my Christian friends. They are still naïve when it comes to realizing and identifying the evil in this world. They still think ‘man is good’ or has the capacity to be good. What a mistake and failure in understanding the basic nature of man and the deceptiveness of evil.

Satan has blinded the eyes of our understanding so the truth cannot come and operated within us. Jesus said, “Having eyes to see and yet cannot see; ears to hear and cannot hear.”

When I worked as a professor at a major Christian university in California, I was amazed to find so many professors that claimed to be Christian yet Christ was not manifested in any part of their lives. I cried for many miles as I drove home in the evenings asking God why He brought me to such ‘a den or wolves— a hypocritical group of unbelievers’?

Just because someone says they are a follower of Jesus Christ does not make it so. It is always by his or her fruit (their works) that you will know if someone is truly a person of Christ (Book of James). I believe in showing my faith by my works. I have learned over time that words are deceptive but one’s actions do show one’s true self and motivation.

James chapter one says, “If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask of God and He will give it to him.” But I would like to add that when you ask and God shows you His wisdom do not be surprised if God’s wisdom is so contrary to what you have learned in the past. God’s wisdom is designed to dispel ignorance and any quality of being naïve.

One cannot be naïve and follow the teaching of Christ. Time and time again, Jesus explained and showed His disciples the truth and the motives of people. His disciples were always amazed. It is time for no more amazement! It is time to be wise as serpents and yet as harmless as doves. This is who Jesus wants me to be, un-naïve.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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