What It Means to Be As Shrewd As Snakes: Matthew 10:16

That title doesn’t sound Christian, does it? 

We associate snakes with Satan because he presented himself as a serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). 

In fact, most representations of snakes in Scripture are negative ones. And people generally don't like snakes.

But in Matthew 10:16, Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

Despite their negative image, snakes are shrewd at avoiding unnecessary conflict. They rarely strike unless they are provoked, and there couldn't be a better archetype for the phrase "slip out of sight."

In our anti-Christian environment where laws are being proposed to silence Christians, genuine believers will continue to share God’s truth. But we will do it carefully, avoiding unnecessary conflict from the “thought police” in our culture.

We won't let this persecution silence us, but we will depend on God's Spirit to show us unique ways to share God's Word so we can at least avoid some of the bias against us.

What exactly does that mean? We are in the process of learning. Will you please pray that God will bless Bible Love Notes as we face challenging algorithms and limitations online?

Thanks! 

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To read why I think people have an unrealistic fear of snakes, see "Nakes" and Whispers. To read about an event in Scripture that presents snakes in both a negative and positive light see A Snake Story with a Happy Ending. 

Bible Love Notes