Verse of the day: Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send
you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Why are we amazed when
people hate us for what we believe as followers of Jesus? Why do we act as if
something new or extraordinary has taken place? Why do we act surprised, as if
to not expect persecution (1 Pet 4:12)? Did not Jesus tell us that in this world
we would have tribulation and experience hatred because we choose to follow Him
(Matt 10:22; John 16:33)? However, even in knowing this, Jesus has sent us
forth into the world, even as He was sent into the world (John 17:18). In today’s
verse we plainly see that Jesus knew the dangers that His followers would
encounter as they went out to do what we have all been commanded to do, tell
others about Jesus and share the Gospel message. In doing so, and in knowing
what we would face, Jesus gave us a very important principle to follow that
will help us to be more effective in the way we interact with the world. Too
many Christians are foolishly engaging the world in a way that is counterproductive
to the furtherance of the Gospel (in both the way they present it and the way
they represent Jesus [in our behavior towards others]). Jesus told his
disciples, and this still applies to us today, that they were first to be “wise
as serpents”. Many of us are not fans of snakes. However, in interacting with
the world, we can certainly learn a lot from them. If you observe the serpent,
it is one of the most cunning animals in its ability to escape danger. It is
ever watchful and immediately recognizes a dangerous situation. It moves along
silently and is often undetected, even when someone is standing next to one. In
this we are to mimic the snake. As born again believers we must be careful to
discern when is the right time to speak or be silent, as to not draw negative
attention to ourselves or the Gospel. Just like the serpent recognizes danger
and takes refuge, we too must know that the Rock that we take refuge under during
the storms of life is Jesus. The serpent’s eyesight is sharp. We must be
careful not to cloud our vision with the distractions that the world puts
before us to draw our attention away from our calling and what we are supposed
to be accomplishing, in Christ while we are here on earth. The serpent is not
easily charmed; so we too are take caution in what we spend our time listening
to (inappropriate gossip, music, charismatic teachers who teach heresy). The
serpent goes to great lengths to protect its head from injury. Too often, the
follower of Jesus neglects the mind and for this cause too many are easily deceived
by false teachings, and corrupt doctrines, leading to beliefs and lifestyles
that draw us away from God’s truth, and bring dishonor to the Gospel and Christianity.
Jesus also told His disciples that they are also to be like the dove which is a
symbol of beauty, chastity, fruitfulness, love, peace, unity and innocence. We
are to live pure lives that are fruitful in our ability to mature in Christ,
share the Gospel and lead other to Jesus, and disciple others so that they can
do the same. We are to love one another, and even our enemies, and be at peace
with each other and the world at large, as much as is within us (Rom 12:18).
The world should see people who love Jesus, and live what they believe; and
though they may persecute us, they should have to lie in order to blaspheme who
we are in Christ, as we are told in 1 Peter 2:11-13 and 1 Peter 3:16. We must
be wise enough, and humble enough, to resist reviling when we are reviled, trusting
the Lord to take vengeance on our behalf (Rom 12:19-21). Instead of going on
the attack, we must show love, and pray for those that persecute us (Matt
5:44). Wisdom and gentleness should guide us in knowing when it is best to
speak the Gospel or when it is best to just be silent and live it so that the
Lord can use that to open a door for us to verbally present Jesus with others.
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