Encouragement for Your Week: June 28-July 4
This Week’s Verse
“Listen! I am sending you, and you will be like sheep among wolves. So be smart like snakes. But also be like doves and don’t hurt anyone.”
— Matthew 10:16 (ERV)
Devotion
Up until this point, the disciples had stayed close by Jesus' side. But in Matthew 10, Jesus decided they were ready to step out on their own. He sent them out on a practice run for the work they would do after He left earth. He gave them the power to heal the sick and cast out demons, and their job was to preach the good news. This week’s verse is part of the specific instructions Jesus gave them before they walked away.
From His words, we can learn four important lessons:
First, the disciples were sent by Jesus. They didn't just wake up and decide to go out on their own. They were acting under Jesus' authority, following a specific mission He gave them. They were the real deal, not false prophets.
Second, they would be like "sheep among wolves." Jesus was sending innocent, harmless messengers into a dangerous world full of people who would violently oppose them. The disciples had to learn that even in a hostile world, Jesus—their True Shepherd—had already conquered the world (John 16:33).
Third, because they were like sheep among wolves, they needed to be "smart like snakes." A snake’s wisdom lies in its ability to avoid danger. Jesus was telling His disciples not to pick unnecessary fights or provoke their enemies. They needed to be careful and wise in everything they did to ensure their mission succeeded.
Finally, they needed to be "harmless like doves." Even though they had to be clever to avoid danger, they were never supposed to use that cleverness to trick or hurt people. Instead, they were to use their wisdom to heal people and rescue them from the ultimate enemy—Satan.
Jesus’ instructions for that practice run still apply to followers of Christ today. We should move when God sends us. But because the world can still be a dangerous place for our faith, we must use wisdom and caution when we share the gospel. Above all, our goal should always be to help people, never to hurt them.
When you look at your current relationships or workplace, what does it look like for you to be 'wise as a snake but harmless as a dove' this week? How can you show wisdom without losing your kindness?