When it comes to certain people you’ve got to be shrewd, especially when you are dealing with unbelievers. The main reason you need to be shrewd with unbelievers its that they are caught up in some lie or another. The most common lie is that they think they are good people. But there are a host of other lies as well.

In 2 Samuel 22 David singing about God says “to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.” In other words, don’t be naive when you are dealing with people of the world. They are caught up in a lie and like most of us at one time, they even believe in elaborate schemes of lies.

Jesus even said we should be shrewd “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves”. Matt 10:16 Here, He seems to say you can be shrewd and innocent at the same time. You don’t have to be dishonest or engage in sinful behavior to be shrewd.

Yes, Jesus even told a parable where he commended a dishonest leader for his shrewdness, “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Just as a side note, its astonishing to see it in the Bible, but it says “use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself”. Too bad I’m broke and perhaps its why I have no friends, I don’t know.

Shrewd is defined as an adjective used to describe someone who shows sharp powers of judgment, cleverness, and practical intelligence. For instance, a shrewd person is a person who can assess a situation quickly, see past superficial details, and anticipate how things will play out.

The truly shrewd person also knows when and whom to be shrewd with. They aren’t looking to play people or get over on people. They just sort of have a “street smart” spirituality about them. They know how to use grace and truth together. They know when to confront and when to withhold. So the next time you pray, ask God to make you a shrewd person. Be shrewd for the kingdom of God!