Silver Tongue

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?"
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?"
21 "Caesar's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
Matthew 22:15-21


The Pharisees were sly and crafty in their words here to Jesus. They had what we would call today in the business world a silver tongue in that they attempted to use flattery and even truth in order to trick Jesus into saying the wrong words that would undoubtedly trap Him into being handed over to the authorities to be killed. Jesus, in all of His wisdom called them out and did not let that happen as His answer was so simple and yet so true. Has anyone ever tried to trap you with the use of such flattering words? Remember, we are a world at war and the enemy at times comes in sheep’s clothing with flattery and enticement that may sound good on the front end but in the end will only lead to death, destruction and separation from God. Stay close to Jesus today in thought and in quiet prayer in order that you would be able to distinguish words that are righteous and full of life from the words that are false and only given for selfish gain or evil intent. God’s words are pure and holy and bring only life in its full abundance – fall in love with your Creator today!