Jesus told His disciples that he was sending them out like sheep among wolves. He told them to be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. But what does that mean? Aren’t snakes usually the bad guys? Jesus certainly doesn’t want us to be deceptive like the snake in the Garden of Eden. He doesn’t want us to be selfish or unkind like the Pharisees. Instead, He wants us to be careful and wary of Satan’s schemes. He wants us to be too shrewd to fall for Satan’s traps. As we go out into the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ, He wants us to be wise and clever, maybe even a little crafty at times, but always without sin. We are never to do what is evil to bring about what is good. Let’s be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.
Bible Verses:
- 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 – God is the judge
- Romans 3:23 – All have sinned
- Mark 10:18 – No one is good but God
- Proverbs 21:2 – You are not always right
Family Time Questions:
- What does it mean to be as shrewd as a serpent?
- What does it mean to be as innocent as a dove?
- Why does Jesus want us to be like these things?
- What is the good news God wants us to share?
Prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for saving us. Please help us to be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves as we share the good news of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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