In his book on evangelism, Dag Heward-Mills gives seven reasons serpents are considered wise.
Principally, they are considered wise because they have flourished against ecological challenges, against being hated, they can function wherever they are, and they have been more successful than any other creature at survival and massive reproduction. Even the “king of beasts,” the lion, gives a wide berth to a snake in his path.
In Matthew 10, Jesus assembled His disciples and gave them “marching orders” on reaching the world. He gave them great authority, and then He cautioned, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Jesus went on to tell them they would face persecution, even death. According to church history, most suffered greatly for their faith and for their evangelistic efforts. Only John is thought to have lived into old age, although an early Latin tradition had him being boiled to death in oil in Rome. But their influence continues in the world today.
Most Christians have no difficulty being “as innocent as doves,” but they struggle with having to carry on despite being hated or even feared. Still, that is your calling to one degree or another.
Certainly, you are like sheep among wolves in today’s American culture. So, consider the admonitions of Jesus, who also promised, “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
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