Sayings

“A wolf in sheep's clothing” is an idiom from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount as narrated in the Gospel of Matthew. It warns against individuals who play a duplicitous role. The gospel regards such individuals (particularly false teachers) as dangerous. Wolves by nature are predators. Their goal is to devour whatever they can, whether it’s pigs in straw houses…or little girls in red clothing.

If the wolf is at your door, then you know it’s bad news. No one is going to see a snarling wolf and think “Oh, what a cute little puppy…I think I’ll play with him.”

A Zimbabwean pastor has reportedly convinced his congregants his holy pens can make students pass their exams - and the more you pay for one, the better grades you'll get.

Prophet Sham Hungwe of House of Grace International Church in Harare is selling the pens, which cost from £1 up to £20.

According to a new report, the prophet told his congregation those sitting exams only needed faith and one of the special pens to pass. “They are anointed and I declare passes when your children sit for exams. They are said to work for anyone who is sitting for any test," he said.

According to the report, one parishioner testified: "My son is not very bright and I think this will help him. With the knowledge he has acquired and this pen from the man of God, I think it is going to work."

On reading this one is tempted to think can anyone be so gullible to believe this. But hear-in lies the problem the one offering this prophetic pen did under the guise of his role as a pastor. In the acts of the Apostles we read of Simon the Sorcerer, who on seeing the gift of the Holy Spirit at work in the followers of Jesus wanted to buy this power to use for his own ends.  

People tend to judge the character and worth of others by looking at outward appearances. If a person is tall, good-looking, well-built, and tastefully dressed, then she or he possesses physical qualities that humans generally admire and respect. Often these are the physical qualities we seek in a leader. But God has the unique ability to see inside a person. God knows our true character because he “looks at the heart.”

Perhaps one of the most need gifts of the spirit for a Christian in today's world is that of discernment, the discerning presence of God within us. Anthony de Mello a Jesuit says"To the preacher who kept saying, 'We must put God in our lives,' the Master said, 'God is already there. Our business is to recognise this.'"

O Lord, I do not know what to ask You. You alone know my real needs, and You love me more than I even know how to love. Enable me to discern my true needs which are hidden from me. I ask for neither cross nor consolation; I wait in patience for You. Amen