I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
We would struggle to think of two animals more different than snakes and doves, yet Jesus tells us in today’s scripture to be like both. I believe He uses this example to teach us the importance of maintaining balance in our dealings with other people. The snake represents shrewdness and wisdom, while the dove represents innocence and gentleness. The Amplified Bible says that to be “innocent as doves” means to “have no self-serving agenda.”
People who are innocent without also being wise usually open their hearts to people without knowing whether those people are trustworthy. They don’t use reasonable caution in relationships and often end up being hurt or betrayed. In contrast, people who are shrewd or wise without also being innocent and gentle may be overly suspicious of others, always expecting people to take advantage of them.
They may end up with few deep, meaningful relationships or even with no true friends at all. Being out of balance in either direction—too innocent or too shrewd—can keep people from cultivating and enjoying relationships God may want to give them.
The Holy Spirit will help us be appropriately wise and appropriately innocent at the same time so that we can develop healthy, balanced relationships with others.
Prayer of the Day: Father, help me to be wise like a serpent and gentle like a dove toward everyone I meet. In Jesus’ name, amen.
