"Shrewd as Serpents"

I love that working through Matthew has brought ideas and inspirations

to light that I didn't realize before.  I love when God points out to me

verses or phrases that I never noticed before.

As we are working through Matthew We see in Chapter 10 that Jesus

is sending out His disciples into the land and giving very strict

instructions.  It is my belief and understanding that as we

go out into the "land" we should follow at the very  least the spirit

of these instructions as well.

"Preach that the kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  I don't know that I will

ever raise the dead, or cleanse lepers, cast out demons and I

don't think me walking door to door, town to town with only my

sandals and a staff is something I see me being called to in the near future. 

The spirit of how we are to enter the world is the same for us.

They were told they were sent out as "sheep in the midst of wolves;

So be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves."

That is an awesome, impossible sounding combination.  I am at a place

where I really needed these words.   Shrewd as serpents, innocent as

doves.  

The NIV Bible uses Shrewd.  The King James Bible uses Wise.

Here is a definition for wise from A Greek Translation:

"Understanding, thoughtful, practically wise, sensible, prudent"

I found in the Greek translation that Wise in this particular passage means this;

 Mindful of ones interests. 

That is where the NIV uses the word shrewd.

No where you are coming from and where this person you

are speaking with is coming from.  This conveys a deeper

understanding of the individual or circumstance you are dealing with.

Mindful of ones interests.

This is so great!  This passage is telling me once more

how to handle myself in a world that does not

know and Love our Lord.  We had better

be in the midst of the unsaved.  It is telling me not

to be a bull in a china shop.  I am to keep my innocence

as well as being shrewd.

Know who you are dealing with.  Conduct yourself under

the power and authority of God in Heaven.  Be wise in what

you say but even more realize that we are also to be shrewd.

There will be times to hold your tongue.  There will be times

when you will be called upon to speak up and out.  We must

be sensitive to Gods urgings. 

Spending time in prayer.  Spending time in one on one

communion with God is how we become this wise and

innocent person God instructs us to be.    With out His

guidance how will be ever be both these things.

Shrewd as serpents innocent as doves.