Why did Jesus say to his disciples, be wise as serpents and humble as doves? Explain why?
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Why did Jesus say to his disciples, be wise as serpents and humble as doves? Explain why?
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Alfreda Johnson said:
Jesus said to his disciples to be wise as serpents and humble as doves because he knew that they were going to face many trails in their walk with him and in their ministries. Wisdom was going to be their prescription for comfort during those times, it is God's will for his ministers and people who are exposed to the troubles of this world as they usually are, should not expose themselves but use fair and lawful means for their own preservation. In the cause of Christ we must sit loose to life and all it's comforts, but must not be prodigal of them. We must be wise not to pull trouble upon our own heads but we should be as harmless as a dove meaning to be humble and meek, we are not to do anyone harm or hurt or have ill feeling toward others. We must use the harmlessness of the dove to bear twenty injuries rather than the subtlety of the serpent to offer or to return one. The spirit descended on Christ as a dove and all believers partake of the spirit of Christ, a dove like spirit made for love not for war. One should always be on their guard and avoid dangerous company, taking heed to what you say and do, when Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by one of his disciples, they had to be wise with who they trusted, so do we.
My thoughts:
Here He is being the great coach he is. Coaches trains the fighters. He telling them about their opponent. Sharing with them their weaknesses and strengths. Giving them techniques. Reminding them to stay alert, on to on their toes. And with all the information shared from the coach the fighter is able to choose their battles wisely.
As the loving Father he is, he warns them. So when opportunities present themselves(and Jesus knew that they would) to the disciples they are prepared, with humility & discernment as their weapons (a defensive & offensive weapon). Basically Jesus gave them a behavioral management course before sending them out into all the world to share the Gospel.
Here Jesus was preparing them for full time ministry. Giving them the weapons they needed to advance the Kingdom in the earth. He is encouraging them, affirming them, & letting them know he trust them.
This reminds me of parents who train their children up and one day have to let them go unto all the world, trusting that they (their children) will apply all that was taught to him.
I had a great time mediating on this.
###anj###
Jesus was warning His disciples of the dangers they would come up against. He was making his followers aware of those that would be hostile towards the message of the gospel as well as those who would seek to devour those that sort to teach, preach, and live their according to the Word of Jesus Christ. Even so, Christ disciples are to be wise and harmless, remain innocent; and are not to inflict physical or mental damage on any one, always having a calm temperance and sweet disposition. He was letting them know of those who would seek their destruction, and how to avoid conflicts, and never to invite, nor provoke conflict. Disciples must be wise and in being wise they would have understanding of people and situation. Disciples need to be able to detect with their spiritual eyes and other senses not just our natural eyes, and should be able to read character or motives.
We are to be practical or “shrewd”, having and artful way of dealing with situations and people, using watchful prudence in detecting and escaping danger, serpents are pros at escaping, and it’s one of their most common form of self-protection is avoidance. Disciples understanding the analogy can be wise as the serpent by using the same trait by perceiving and avoiding danger and escaping from it!
He was letting His disciples know that when opposition intensify, or arises disciples are to be “wise as serpents, and “harmless” as a dove. We are to know how to handle the situation wisely. We are to know how to answer the attacks set against us by the enemy, at the same time expose error, false doctrine. We are to understand and be able to recognize our true enemy, and His disciples are to never stoop to the ethics of the enemy. Disciples are to be” harmless as doves,” Christ disciples are to be above reproach in both conduct and speech. They must be clever and shrewd in dealing with their cunning wolf-like adversaries; we must be free from guile and evil. When sin is in the life and speech of the disciple it gives the enemy an easy opening to discredit his witness.
Jesus often spoke of the dumb animals and yet he loved them and understood them better than any of us could. He knew every thing about them. As strange as it may seem he often talk to the people about the animals and he wanted them to know how much God loved them as well. He wanted them to understand stand the God watched over his people just like the sparrows. He said if they don't have to worry about where they eat and sleep why should we as human beings. When Jesus was about to send His disciples on the first mission He again spoke of the two dumb creatures. The disciples were going out into a world where they would meet with many temptations and many rebuffs, and He cautioned them to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Now why did Jesus pick a serpent to use a an example. Jesus always found good in everything, even the serpent. The serpent is a wise creature. It has plenty of wisdom. Jesus knew that He had set His disciples a difficult task and that they would need to have their wits about themselves. Jesus wants us to use our head just as well as our hearts. Christ wants us to use all our powers for Him. Harmless just means simple and innocent. Like the dove they were to be pure, and gentle, and faithful. They were not to give anyone a real reason to speak ill of them. They were not to avenge themselves. We have to be wise for our own sakes. The world is not all a good place. There are bad things in it as well as good, and we have to be watchful to discern the good from the evil, and to avoid the evil. We may be wiser than any serpent, but if we are not also as simple as doves our wisdom may turn into cunning and deceitfulness. To be like dove we must stay innocent and pure. Purity is the best shield with which to face the world.
Matthew 10:16-18
Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things which gave advantage to their enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhand measures. Christ foretold troubles, not only that the troubles might not be a surprise, but that they might confirm their faith. He tells them what they should suffer, and from whom. Thus Christ has dealt fairly and faithfully with us, in telling us the worst we can meet with in his service.
biblehub.com
I believe God was sending His disciples out as lambs In the midst of wolves. Meaning they would be exposed to hatred and violence from men. They were to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, ( harmless meaning unmixed, be aware) indicating purity and innocence, humility, gentle and kindness. Snakes are commonly thought of as wise, cunning and crafty. perhaps because they are silent and dangerous or because of the way they move. The Doves was sent from the ark after the flood. It flies rapidly on High. The dove is a promise of a blessed future for those in humble circumstances: Like the swift flight of doves ( Isa. 59:11) so would the help come from Zion. (Ezel.7:16) They are peaceful and harmless.The spirit of God descends like a dove (Matt. 3:16)They were sold in the temple for rights of purification, but Jesus cast out the sellers. (Matt. 12:12). God would use Jewish rejection and persecution of the messengers (disciples) to bring the gospel message to the gentiles. Jesus told them when they are arrested don't worry about what to say at their trial, for you will be given the right words at the right time. For it won't be you doing the talking. It will be the spirit of your heavenly Father speaking through you.!!God is saying to us to go spread the gospel don't be afraid, he will give us what to say and when, and how to say it. Walking humbly before His people in love, and humility, with the attributes of Christ. So that people will listen and be drawn to Christ. Because we have allowed Him to use us for His glory not ours.
Jesus told them to be wise as a serpent and humble as a dove; because when they go out the minister there will be men out that will be cunning. sneaky liers and out to kill, an to arrest them. so they wise. they also needed to humble as a dove so God will speak for them when whey are before kings, councils.
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