Someone once said, ‘One bad egg spoils the lot’ and the scripture confirms, ‘A fly, though tiny, would cause a jar of perfume to lose its scent.’
Contact in this context is referring to a meeting, communication, relationship or a state of being in touch with someone or something, while contamination is a state of becoming impure due to pollution.
This can be paraphrased as being in touch without becoming polluted.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves…” Matthew 10:16 KJV
Such a scenario portrays tribulation and hardship. Sheep, as we know them, are not fighters neither are they wise. Yet our Lord, while acknowledging the danger ahead, admonishes us to be ‘wise’ and ‘harmless’ – even though the wolves are on the prowl! Thank God He gives us wisdom which is ‘profitable to direct.’ He went a step further to remind us that ‘the battle is the Lord’s.
Sheep grow wool, which is meant to be white. Despite sending them in the midst of wolves, Jesus expects them to be presented, on their return, ‘without spot, blemish or wrinkle.’
Apostle Paul was a missionary to the Gentiles. He became as they were (lived, ate and dwelt with them) yet he did not become ONE WITH THEM.
No enlisted soldier engages in civilian affairs. No one dress in white acts or behaves haphazardly. Those seemingly negligible actions (the little foxes) more often than not result in great loss or tragedy.
David the shepherd boy, who lacked the basic principles of war, was saying in 1 Samuel 17:47 (KJV) “And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s…” This same ruddy lad dwelt with veterans of war who depended on their accolades and experience. He must have heard them recount tales upon tales of acts of bravery, which gave them victory. He could easily have been swayed by the fact that ‘you only win with tact and experience’ but he knew better.
Our Lord Jesus made it clear in John 8:23 (KJV) “…I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world…”
Since He who dwells above sent us here, it behooves us to make Him proud. Jesus Christ, while on earth was the light of the world. When He left, we became the light of this (dark and perverse) world. Darkness cannot withstand light.
Just as a lamp needs to be trimmed and the oil replenished for its light to shine bright, so also we need to be maintained regularly with the Word of God.
so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
Philippians 2:15 NIV
Friends, we are in contact with the world. We MUST NOT be contaminated by it.
Are we making the desired impact in [and on] the world?
God help us!