Snakes & Doves

When Jesus gave this instruction, He was laying down a guiding principle for kingdom work. The world we are sent into is not always friendly. It can be hostile, deceptive, and dangerous. That is why wisdom and gentleness must go together.

As ambassadors of the kingdom, we must be wise enough to avoid traps and snares, and innocent enough to serve the Lord with a clean heart. Most people are comfortable with being compared to a dove—pure and gentle. But many resist any comparison to a serpent.

Jesus was not endorsing deception. He was pointing to the serpent’s shrewdness. Wisdom does not mean dishonesty, and innocence does not mean gullibility.

Both are required. A disciple who is gentle without wisdom will be preyed upon by wolves. A disciple who is wise without gentleness may end up preying on the lost sheep.

Ask God today for the wisdom and the gentleness of heart needed for kingdom work.