Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves.”
Jesus shares so many things that surprise us. I get the innocent as, but he serpent part, I wouldn’t have expected. John 2:24 gives us some insight, “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men”. People are sinful and will disappoint.
This makes loving others more challenging. Knowing that they have the potential to hurt and disappoint us. Jesus didn’t have a problem with it. He had a better understanding of others. He could know this truth about people, yet He could still live His life reaching out to them and eventually die for them. Amazing.
That is a blessed state to hold those two traits at the same time. It’s easy to let bitterness take over. We have been hurt enough for it to happen. We need to tap into God’s resources to avoid it. It’s like holding a hot skillet. We need a glove. Most have been burnt by them, but they can serve a good purpose if used carefully.
I feel like I am wrestling with this right now. A real key for me is 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” My heart would like to make me feel guilty for doing this. I have to ignore it. Don’t let it have a home in my mind. I’m not real good at it. There is always the negative thought trying to needle it’s way in. Don’t let it.
This has been a rough journey trying to keep these two concepts side by side. Whenever I am wary of people my mind jumps in and condemns me for not continuing to give someone a chance. I need to learn to hold both.
Lord, thank You for this. This is a mature lesson. I have been walking with Christ for over 40 years and this feels new. I will always be learning. I have to remember that I am part of the group that needs to be wary of. Thank You.