I heard it said before, that we are called to find the sweet spot between wisdom and vulnerability. We certainly don't lay down and become a doormat, but yet we wholeheartedly love and serve others. That can be confusing at times, especially in times like this verse where Jesus was speaking to the disciples about persecution.
How do we handle the ... See Morepressures people and circumstances put on our faith?
Only when we are putting the Spirit driven love into action can we face challenging times, especially times that challenge our very faith, with the warryness and compassion that can seem so hard to engage at times. If the scale is tipped too far to the compassion side we seem "weak" if its too far to the warryness side we appear "anxiously frightened!" And if we lose sight of this stance altogether, even for a moment, we are viewed as "hypocrites" with tempers, bitterness, anger, etc. We may even seem judgmental and/or self-righteous.
Don't get me wrong I'm a firm believer in the, "Let's spend more time being good than looking good," school of thought but these times are still opportunities to be used to show the difference in a life lived for Christ. A life lived in relationship with our Savior that when lived in obedience to, tells us in verse 20 that the right words will be provided at the right time, and the right actions too for that matter, by the Spirit speaking through us. But if we aren't looking to this counsel, how can we expect to handle anything in Christ-like ways? The Bible says we are to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance in every area of our lives. Let us not forget that for a second, and let us stand guard ready to love through all circumstances.
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