Matthew 10:16 is one of those statements from Jesus
that makes you think twice: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst
of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Sheep, wolves,
serpents, and doves—oh my! It’s not just poetic wildlife—it’s Jesus prepping
His disciples for the real hostility they’d face while proclaiming the Gospel,
and how to respond with both grit and grace.
In that culture, sheep were the definition of
defenseless. No claws, no fangs, no horns, no powerful jaws, no muscular build.
And wolves? They hunted in packs, ruthless, fast, powerful and relentless. So
when Jesus said, “I’m sending you out as sheep among wolves,” He wasn’t
sugarcoating a thing. He was saying, “You’re exposed. The world will see you as
easy prey.” Translation? “They’re coming for you.” His next line? “So be wise
as serpents.”
To the disciples, serpents (snakes) were viewed as sharp-eyed,
danger-sensitive, cunning, and masters of timing. A serpent doesn’t rush in—it
reads the room. It knows when to slither and when to stay still. Jesus wasn’t
calling us to be deceitful or sneaky—He was saying, “Use your brain! Be
spiritually street-smart.” And then He adds the counterpunch: “Innocent as
doves.” Doves don’t plot. They don’t lash out. They’re pure, peaceful, and non-aggressive.
So here’s the divine tension: be shrewd without being
sinful, and holy without being naïve. Be street-smart with a pure-heart. In
today’s world, that means we don’t cave to fear, but we also don’t stumble
around clueless. We engage culture with wisdom—knowing when to speak, when to
listen, when to stand firm, and when to step back. And our motives? Always
pure. No manipulation. No bitterness. Just love, seasoned with discernment.
Jesus calls us to be serpent-smart—strategic and observant, sidestepping traps
without ever striking with venom.
Take a workplace moment: a colleague scoffs, “I
don’t get why anyone still believes the Bible—it’s outdated.” You feel the
tension. Instead of launching into a defense, you pause. You ask, “What makes
you feel that way?” That’s serpent wisdom—reading the room, opening a door.
Then you respond with dove-like innocence: “I’ve found the Bible speaks to
things I wrestle with today—identity, purpose, hope.” No agenda. Just honest,
humble witness. That’s the strategy—truth with tenderness.
Maybe you’re staring down a tough conversation at
work, or feeling the strain of faith-based tension in your family. Be the
dove—gentle, kind, unoffensive. But also be the serpent—alert, aware, and
spiritually awake to the battle around you. Jesus isn’t sending us into the
fray empty-handed. He’s handing us divine game plan.
So step out today—soft-hearted, sharp-minded. Full of grace, full of truth. The world needs Christ followers who walk wisely, never losing their innocence.
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