Wise as Serpents—Harmless as Doves

“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.

Jesus’ words are timeless as He’s the same today, yesterday and forever. I am reminded that it’s not by accident that we meet those in opposition to the faith. It is actually to be expected. I understand more that “stumbling blocks” in the disguise of people are meant to make one fall. Again, I recall that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Jesus warns further into the seventeenth verse, “But beware of men.” This is the same lead of Paul’s letter to the Philippians in chapter 3:2 as it read, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers...” There are many who allow themselves to be used by the “spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Jesus calls us to be wise as serpents. Why as serpents? Genesis 3:1, AMP, “NOW THE serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?” Notice that the serpent knew God’s word. He knew God’s word and was sly enough to manipulate Eve into thinking with the flesh. When Jesus said to be wise, that can also mean to be intelligent, keen, sharp, aware, knowledgeable, “be not deceived.” He wants our ears to be open to hear. “My sheep hear my voice.” Sheep are lead by their shepherds. Those who have ears let him hear.

But I celebrate when God speaks in my spirit, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you,” Matthew 5:11-12, AMP.

I find clarification that the joy is not in their wrongdoing; rather the joy is in the triumphing. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight,” Luke 10:19-21, KJV

So our defense when we are mistreated is to be harmless. We are not to react the same way the world acts towards us. It can be challenging at times, but remember who you are representing. Be gentle, meek, faithful, exhibiting those fruits of the Spirit. Our salvation is sealed and the enemy hates that to all ends. If he can get you out of the will of God, he’ll try to lead down a path of destruction.

References: Hebrews 13:8, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Ephesians 6:12, John 10:27, Matthew 11:15, Galatians 5:22-23