We often face cultural traps designed to force a binary choice—either compromise your faith or seem irrelevant. But Jesus faced similar traps and gave us a way of escape: wise reasoning rooted in truth. One of His greatest examples is found in Matthew 22:15–22.

The Trap: Pay Caesar or Betray God?

Religious leaders asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” It was a loaded question. Say yes, and He looked like a traitor to Israel. Say no, and He became a political criminal.

But Jesus’ response bypassed their categories.

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
— Matthew 22:21

“Jesus didn’t play by the rules of the deceiver; He elevated the conversation to the realm of God’s authority.”

Why It Mattered

This wasn’t just a clever retort. Jesus exposed the faulty worldview behind their question. They thought allegiance to God and engagement in the world were mutually exclusive. Jesus showed that true loyalty to God informs every other allegiance.

A Modern Application

Today’s believers often face similar dilemmas:

• Science vs. Faith

• Grace vs. Truth

• Political allegiance vs. Kingdom loyalty

We can learn from Jesus that escaping false dilemmas is not about evading truth, but elevating the conversation.

Living Beyond Traps

Jesus’s followers are called to be:

• Wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16)

• Prepared to give a reason (1 Peter 3:15)

• Gentle in correction (2 Timothy 2:25)

The world needs thoughtful, Spirit-filled believers who can rise above false choices and speak from God’s wisdom.

Conclusion

Escaping the horns of a dilemma doesn’t mean avoiding hard truths—it means knowing the greater truth. Jesus invites us to engage culture without compromise and without fear.

Summary:

Jesus modeled how to respond to trick questions with spiritual insight and intellectual clarity.

• False dilemmas are spiritual traps rooted in partial truth.

• Jesus’ response to Caesar’s tax teaches higher allegiance.

• Believers must rise above polarizing questions by seeking Kingdom wisdom.

Engaging Question:
When have you faced a false choice, and how did God lead you through it?