Part 7 - Wise as Serpents and Harmless as Doves

“A false prophet uses his God-entrusted gifts to draw others to himself.
A true prophet draws them to the heart of God.”
John Bevere: Thus Saith The Lord (p.139)

Wise as Serpents and Harmless as Doves – Part 7

“Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves;
be wary and wise as serpents,
and be innocent
(harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves.”
Matthew 10:16 Amplified bible

Why does Jesus send His sheep out among the wolves?

This directive of the Lord seems in the natural to make little sense.

But it is based on a profound truth,

every believer overcomes by his/her death

rather than by his/her life.
Jesus Himself was the ultimate demonstration of this spiritual principle

by His death on the Cross.

He conquered satan and death by His own death.

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55 Amplified Bible

Jesus called His disciples and us today to lay down our lives

for the sake of the Gospel and the furtherance of His kingdom.

“For whoever wants to save his [higher, spiritual, eternal] life,
will lose it [the lower, natural, temporal life
which is lived only on earth];
and whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth]
for My sake and the Gospel's will save it
[his higher, spiritual life in the eternal kingdom of God].”
Mark 8:35 Amplified Bible

Laying down our lives is a daily choice

to place the good of the kingdom

ahead of our own will and earthly desires.

It seems incredible that Jesus would lay down His life for us

and then send us out as sheep among packs of wolves.

There would be no contest in such a lopsided match,

except for one detail –

Jesus has not sent us out alone.

Jesus is walking with us every step of the way,

and He has already secured our victory.

“Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you,

and behold, I am with you all the days
(perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion),
to the [very] close and consummation of the age.
Amen (so let it be).”
Matthew 28:20 Amplified Bible

Sheep are meant to stay close to their faithful shepherd.

“I am the Vine; you are the branches.
Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit.

However, apart from Me
[cut off from vital union with Me]
you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 Amplified Bible

If the sheep wander away from the protective care of the shepherd,

fail to hear or obey his voice,

or forget that they are in enemy territory,

they may well be torn apart and devoured.

Daily we must affirm our dependency on Christ as our Good Shepherd.
Daily acknowledge to God our inadequacies and our need for Him,

His provision and His protection.
Daily strive to respond to verbal assaults with wise discerning queries.
Daily as God for the Holy Spirit’s control
over our minds, will and emotions.
Daily avoid evil from entering lives, by guarding our eyes and ears.
Daily test the spirit to discern good from evil.
Daily ask God to let His Spirit have His way in our lives.
Daily trust the Lord to bring the truth of His Word to our minds,
that we might respond to attacks in wisdom.
Daily ask God for wisdom and His will to be done in our lives.

May we delight in God’s decrees, and never neglect His Word.

30 - 7/7

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