Gaining wisdom and power to make the right choices.
by Mark A. Lawton
You have heard that Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Being like doves resonates as a sensible standard for the followers of the Prince of Peace. You would agree, right? However, you may wonder why Jesus advises Christians to be wise as serpents. I certainly did, especially considering the ancient serpent in the Garden of Eden. But the answer is clear:
“But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 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; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” (vv. 17-20).
The background of this section of Scripture is that Jesus mentored His apostles in the good news and taught them how to share it with others. When the time came for the apostles to minister, Jesus empowered them, provided guidance to them, and blessed them. This scripture is an essential model for Christians today regarding the church’s ministry (vv. 1-15).
Key elements
We need to examine the key elements in Matthew 10:16.
Sheep: the twelve apostles; you and me and all faithful followers of Jesus (John 10:1-30).
Wolves: malevolent beings who despise Jesus. There is a long list of wolves, and their intentions remain the same: to steal, kill, and destroy all that the holy God cherishes, especially His people, for whom Jesus serves as good Shepherd
(vv. 10, 11).
Wise as serpents: serpent-like attributes, such as being wary, shrewd, prudent, wise, observant, cunning, clever, cautious, and intelligent. Snakes swiftly avoid being stepped on or caught in danger.
Harmless as doves: innocent, without a self-serving agenda, guileless, without falsity, simple, and with no desire to hurt anyone; kind, gentle, caring, nurturing, helpful, and generous. The Christian can add to this list all the fruit of the Holy Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22, 23).
Serpents and doves share a common trait: advanced intelligence. Both exhibit ingenuity in their lifestyles. Snakes are not easily deceived. They can detect danger through smell, taste, touch, and by sensing temperature in their environment. Doves are also highly intelligent and possess exceptional navigation skills.
By daily practicing discernment akin to snakes and applying dove-like navigation skills grounded in the Bible, we can avoid being consumed by wolves while serving to people as faithful ministers of the good news.
Applying truth
Every Christian is a minister of the gospel. Our lives are the platform Jesus uses to touch others. Our hearts are the pulpit that the Spirit of God speaks through.
We make choices every day. In these moments, discernment and decisions meet and shake hands. Discerning requires applying authentic biblical truth. Why is it so important to know? Because it is the only truth that matters: the heavenly Father’s Word, Jesus. When we live by it, Jesus manifests Himself in our lives. We can be like doves spreading the message of hope.
When we know God’s genuine Word, we can easily discern the false words attributed to Him. We understand that Satan, along with false Bible teachers, false prophets, and our own lustful nature, produces counterfeit scriptural truths. Bank employees can detect counterfeit money immediately because they are familiar with real currency and handle it all day.
Let us be like those bank workers and become ministers who hold the true Word of God in our hearts, from which the Holy Spirit speaks.
Discernment
How can we distinguish between the holy and the evil? How can we differentiate the true words attributed to God’s Bible from those of false teachers and from true teachers spreading bad seeds? How can we tell the ministry of genuine pastors apart from wolves dressed as pastors?
First, let’s address recognizing the wolves.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 John 4:1-6).
Warning: Trying all spirits is not the same as judging people. Testing spirits is wise like a serpent and will keep us out of danger (see sidebar). Judging people determines their future, and only God can do that. However, we shall know them by their fruits.
Scripture and prayer
Read Matthew 10:1-42 several days in a row. Consider reading different translations and study tools. Approach it as if you were studying with the Lord Jesus, and ask Him questions about discerning good and evil.
This is a prayer I began saying when I was just seventeen, and I have recited it nearly every day of my life since then. Modify it to suit your needs: “Heavenly Father, please help me gain the wisdom, strength, intelligence, courage, faith, and power to make the right choices, judgments, and decisions according to Your will for Your glory and purposes.” Following God’s leading will help you be wise and innocent like Jesus in all your decisions.
