How to handle 'sneaky' questions with faith

Description: Jesus faced sneaky questions designed to trap him. His wise answers offer valuable lessons on how we can handle challenges today.

Introduction

If you've ever been asked a sneaky question, you know how it feels. Your mind races, looking for the right answer, but it can often leave you flustered or unsure. Now, imagine being asked one of these sneaky questions in front of a large crowd, with the questioner’s sole aim being to trip you up or discredit you.

This is exactly what happened to Jesus on multiple occasions. The religious leaders of his time – scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees – frequently asked him questions, not to seek wisdom, but to cause confusion, stir up controversy, or undermine his authority. However, each time, Jesus responded with clarity, wisdom, and deep insight, turning the tables on his would-be challengers. What can we learn from these episodes about handling tough questions and sneaky situations in our own lives?

Handling sneaky questions

One notable example occurred when the Pharisees and Herodians posed a question about paying taxes. They asked Jesus whether it was lawful to pay the poll tax to Caesar. This question was designed to corner him: a ‘yes’ could make him unpopular with the Jewish people, who resented Roman occupation, while a ‘no’ could result in accusations of rebellion against Rome. It was a lose-lose scenario – or so it seemed.

Jesus, however, approached the question with remarkable insight. Instead of giving a direct answer, he asked for a coin and enquired whose image and inscription were on it. The answer was, of course, Caesar’s. Jesus then responded that they should give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:21). His response not only defused the situation, it also left his opponents in awe of his wisdom.

There is a deeper meaning in this response. Jesus wasn't just being clever to avoid a trap; he was teaching a profound lesson about our responsibilities. Yes, we live in the world and must respect the authorities over us, but our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Jesus’ response invites us to consider what it means to live as citizens of God’s kingdom while navigating the realities of earthly authority.

When ulterior motives question faith

In another instance, the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, tried to trap Jesus with a complex hypothetical scenario centred on a Jewish law. This required a man to marry his brother’s (childless) widow so she could conceive a child and continue the family line. In the Sadducees’ hypothetical situation, seven brothers married the same woman after each preceding brother had died without fathering any children. The Sadducees asked Jesus whose wife she would be in the afterlife after she too had died.

The question wasn’t really about marriage; it was a veiled attempt to ridicule the idea of the resurrection. But Jesus saw through their motives and gave a response that addressed both their misunderstanding and lack of faith. He explained that in the resurrection, people will not marry in the way we understand it now, for God’s kingdom transcends earthly institutions. Moreover, Jesus pointed to the Scriptures, reminding them that God is not the God of the dead but of the living. In this way, he showed belief in resurrection is not only reasonable, but central to the faith (Matthew 22:29-32).

For us today, this encounter with the Sadducees reveals that people may sometimes ask faith-related questions with ulterior motives. They may seek to challenge, mock, or discredit our beliefs. When this happens, it’s essential to remain calm and rooted in truth, just as Jesus did. Sometimes, the most profound answers aren’t found in complex theological arguments but in a simple, clear articulation of faith.

Lessons for today

What can we take away from these encounters? Firstly, it’s clear that Jesus didn’t fall into the traps laid out for him. He responded with wisdom, calmness, and grace, never getting flustered or caught off guard. This is something we can learn from when we find ourselves in situations where our faith is questioned, or when we’re confronted with sneaky questions.

Secondly, we see that Jesus often reframed the discussion. Rather than being drawn into a debate on the questioner’s terms, he shifted the focus, often exposing the heart of the issue or the person’s motives. This is a valuable lesson for us as well: when faced with sneaky questions, we don’t always have to respond in the way expected. By keeping our focus on God’s truth, we can respond in ways that reveal deeper wisdom.

Lastly, Jesus’ responses were not just about answering the immediate question; they were about pointing people back to God. Whether he was discussing taxes, marriage, or resurrection, his answers directed people’s attention to the larger picture of God’s kingdom and what it means to live faithfully. For Christians today, this is an important reminder. When faced with challenges, it’s not about having the perfect answer to every question. It’s about pointing others to the truth, love, and hope we have in Christ.

A practical approach for us

So, how should we approach sneaky or hostile questions today? Here are a few pointers:

1. Stay calm and composed: Just as Jesus remained peaceful and thoughtful under pressure, we should strive to respond without getting defensive or flustered.

2. Reframe the question if necessary: Sometimes, the best response is to shift the focus away from the trap and back to the real issue. This can lead to a more productive and honest conversation.

3. Ground your answers in faith: Whether it’s a theological question or a moral one, our answers should point back to the teachings of Christ and the principles of the Bible.

4. Trust in God’s guidance: Even when we don’t have all the answers, we can trust God to guide us, just as he did with Jesus.

By adopting these practices, we can approach even the sneakiest questions with grace, wisdom, and confidence, knowing God is with us.