Matthew 10 v 16

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves”

As Jesus commissions us and sends us out, it comes with a warning! Wolves attack sheep! They seek them out and seek to tear a chunk out of them. Jesus warns us that this is how it might be when we step out, stand up or raise our head above the parapet for Christ. People may question our motives, intention, call us old fashioned or irrelevant; they may question our beliefs, our words or our faith as a whole.

Human nature in this setting is to react – fight or flight. We either get defensive, or we give up, give in and go home. But Jesus says in these settings, we must be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

As shrewd as snakes:

Snakes watch and wait for their opportunity.

As we seek to share Jesus with others, we must watch and wait in prayer first and foremost; but then we must watch and wait for the opportunities to arise; as we shared on Sunday, and as was our verse of the year back in 2018 – 19, we must ‘revere Christ Jesus as Lord [and] always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope [we] have.’ (see 1 Peter 3 v 15a).

Be prayed up, be prepared, and be with people. When the opportunity comes, we must be wise with our words, gentle and respectful in what we say and don’t say, and always prepared to share more about Jesus.

As innocent as doves:

We must be careful not to give anyone a reason to accuse us of anything, other than the Gospel. The dove is also the sign of the Holy Spirit seen at Jesus’ baptism. Another key part of us sharing the Gospel is that we must be filled with the Holy Spirit, overflowing with Him in our lives and conversations.

We need wisdom and the Holy Spirit to shine brightly for the Lord, to see His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven, yet innocence to do this with gentleness and respect.

Thankfully, the Bible tells us that if we lack anything, we can ask the Father.