Matthew 10:16-20 – “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.  19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”  NKJV

There are a number of passages in the Bible that are problematic to my human thinking, reason, and understanding and this has long been one that I have wrestled with.  First, I hate snakes.  I know that many of them are harmless and even beneficial but I hate snakes and even when I go to the Book of Genesis connecting “wisdom” to serpents is problematic for me.  I readily recognize the cunning, craftiness, deceit and stealth of the serpent in the Garden and snakes in general.  I have no problem understanding the “harmless as doves” characterization but the imagery of being a snake-dove is not easy to wrap my head around.  Maybe it has never caused you consternation but it has me.

It has helped me to begin at the beginning of the passage and understand that the LORD has and is sending us out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  We are being sent into an environment that hates godliness and sheep are among the most docile and defenseless creatures in existence.  We are His sheep and that paints a somewhat different picture in my mind.  He is the LORD mighty in battle and we are His sheep, therefore, we are not defenseless in reality but in appearance.  He is our sword, shield, and buckler.  Yes, we are sent into a cruel world that hates him and, therefore, hates us but we have weapons the world knows nothing of.

In that light, we are to go forth “harmless as doves” or “walking in purity and innocence” in our dealings with those inside and outside the faith.  However we are to be WISE or perceptive in understanding our times, surroundings, associations and exercise discernment in our dealings with others.  The serpent is always depicted as cunning and crafty and if we walk in that wisdom we will discern the cunning of those whom we deal.  We walk in purity of heart and an awareness of the spirits and intents of those with whom we have dealings.

Then there is the warning to “beware of men”.  People can be predators like wolves and if we use the cunning and wisdom of the serpent we will avoid needless danger and associations.  I never want to be overly skeptical and lacking trust but I also do not want to be so easily deceived that I fall prey to every evil scheme and tactic that comes my way.  So, we as sheep appear docile and easy targets but if we walk in the wisdom of the serpent and maintain our purity of heart and innocence we have a power over any assault of the devil that the world cannot anticipate or counter.

Next, He tells us that if we are brought before the world or the church’s court with charges leveled against us we can walk into that moment in complete confidence knowing that the Father will give us what to speak and, in fact, it will not be us but God that speaks.  Remember, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

May the Lord be with you as you embark on the journey this day affords and walk in His blessings!