Why Should We Be as Wise as Serpents?
Matthew 10:16 (NKJV) – “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
This verse from the Gospel of Matthew has puzzled many believers. Why did Jesus, the Son of God, instruct His disciples to emulate the wisdom of serpents? Why not choose a nobler animal like a lion, eagle, or ox? After all, throughout Scripture, the serpent is commonly associated with Satan and deception particularly in the Garden of Eden. So what did Jesus mean by this unusual comparison?
1. The Context of the Instruction
Jesus spoke these words while commissioning His twelve apostles. Matthew 10:1-15 lays the foundation: He was sending them to preach the message of the Kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. But He also warned them: persecution, rejection, and opposition would come.
Matthew 10:16 (NKJV) is part of that warning:
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves…”
This imagery is deliberate. Sheep are innocent and vulnerable; wolves are dangerous and aggressive. Jesus knew His disciples would face spiritual and physical threats. Yet instead of instructing them to be like lions or warriors, He advised them to be wise like serpents and gentle like doves.
2. Understanding the Wisdom of the Serpent
The serpent, in biblical terms, is first introduced in
Genesis 3:1 (NKJV):
“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.”
The Hebrew word translated “cunning” is ‘ʿārûm’, which can mean prudent, crafty, or shrewd. In Eden, Satan used the serpent not through brute force, but through subtle persuasion and deceptive wisdom. While his goal was evil, the method was undeniably strategic.
Think about it: Adam and Eve, who had direct fellowship with God, were convinced to disobey a clear command and that wasn’t accomplished with threats or physical force, but through careful, targeted conversation. That level of persuasion required a kind of wisdom Jesus wants His followers to adopt not for evil, but for the strategic presentation of truth.
Just as the serpent identified Eve as the more vulnerable target and used questions instead of accusations (“Has God indeed said…?” Genesis 3:1), so must evangelists today learn to discern their audience, be patient, and choose their words wisely.
3. The Serpent’s Approach: Discernment, Patience, and Strategy
Even after the Fall, serpents embody certain traits that illustrate wisdom in action:
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They are silent hunters.
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They rely on timing and subtlety.
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They do not waste energy.
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They avoid unnecessary confrontation.
This is similar to how believers should approach their mission. The Apostle Paul writes:
Colossians 4:5–6 (NKJV) –
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Here, Paul links wisdom with speech — the ability to respond to outsiders with thoughtful, gracious words. Wisdom isn’t just about being smart; it’s about how and when to speak, how to engage people’s hearts, and how to maintain the purity of the message while tailoring its presentation.
4. Paul as an Example of Strategic Evangelism
Paul embodied this balance of wisdom and gentleness. In 1 Corinthians 9:20–22 (NKJV), he says:
“…to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews… to those who are without law, as without law… to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Paul didn’t compromise truth, but he contextualized it. He adjusted his approach without altering the Gospel. That is serpent-like wisdom: strategic, purposeful, and Spirit-led.
5. When Wisdom Is Absent, Conflict Arises
Too often, Christians share the Gospel without this wisdom. For example, attacking another person’s dietary practices (such as not eating pork) or insulting another faith only creates resistance and hostility.
Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV) reminds us:
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
And 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (NKJV) tells us:
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition…”
Winning souls isn’t about proving who’s right; it’s about drawing hearts toward the truth in love. Even Jesus didn’t force belief He invited, He taught, He corrected gently.
6. The Dangers of Foolish Zeal
Even online, many Christians forget this principle. Instead of building up, they tear down. Instead of winning hearts, they provoke arguments. But Scripture warns:
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NKJV) –
“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”
Wisdom is not just knowledge it’s knowledge applied with grace and love. Jesus didn’t tell us to be clever like serpents, but wise. Wisdom seeks the good of others.
7. The Reward of a Wise Servant
Jesus praised the wise servant in:
Luke 12:42-44 (NKJV)
“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household…? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.”
Wisdom is a trait that God honors. Those who serve with both truth and tact will be rewarded.
Conclusion: Walk in Wisdom
As followers of Christ, we are called to carry the Gospel with strategic love and Spirit-filled discernment. Being wise as serpents means understanding people, navigating opposition thoughtfully, and responding with patience and grace. Being harmless as doves means never using aggression, manipulation, or pride.
Let us be faithful stewards, serving not to win arguments, but to win souls.
Prayer:
Lord, teach us to walk in wisdom, to be strategic yet gentle, bold yet humble. Help us represent You with grace, truth, and love that many may come to know You. Amen.
Please share this message with others. May God bless you richly
THE ANSWER TO A PERSON’S LIFE
For a long time, King Solomon sought the wisdom of all things on earth nature, human deeds, and more trying to uncover a single answer that would unlock the doors to BLESSINGS, KNOWLEDGE, LIFE, and PEACE in a person’s life. Solomon embarked on this search for many years, from his youth, guided by the wisdom within him. The Bible even mentions that Solomon explored what others might consider foolishness things that shouldn’t be done by people of God but he did so to uncover whether the answer he was seeking could be hidden in these actions. His goal was to find the key to a life of ease, peace, joy, fulfillment, love, and more.
Solomon’s Search for Meaning
We can read about Solomon’s investigation in the book of Ecclesiastes. Early in the book, Solomon describes how he set his heart on finding the answer to life. He was willing to try everything that the world offers, yet each time he found that it didn’t hold the key to human life, he labeled it as VANITY. He continued searching, moving from one thing to the next, trying everything he could until he explored every possible avenue on earth nothing was left out. He even explored witchcraft and foreign gods, but in the end, he found them all to be futile, like chasing after the wind.
In Ecclesiastes 1:14, Solomon writes, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” This verse underlines his realization that earthly pursuits, no matter how glamorous or desirable, cannot satisfy the deeper longings of the human soul.
Finally, in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, after all his searching and trials, Solomon found the answer he had been looking for all along. It wasn’t easy, and it even cost him his soul in the process, as he engaged in things he shouldn’t have done. But after all the struggle, he discovered the answer.
The Formula for Life
Solomon compared this search to looking for a rare, specific piece of clothing in the second-hand market. You’ll sift through pile after pile, and it may take a long time perhaps even a lifetime and you might never find it. This is the cost of discovering the true way to live a peaceful and fulfilling life.
Solomon’s search for the meaning of life led him to discover the FORMULA for human existence. By understanding this formula, a person can unlock the toughest doors in their current and future life. Without this understanding, a person may wander aimlessly, struggling and suffering, but once they know it, life becomes easier, filled with peace and joy.
The Conclusion: Fear God and Keep His Commandments
The answer Solomon found is revealed in the conclusion of Ecclesiastes:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
13 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, FOR THIS IS THE DUTY OF ALL HUMANS.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
This is the ultimate answer to life: Fear God and keep His commandments. This is the key that opens every door in life, which previously seemed difficult. Solomon found that true peace, fulfillment, and wisdom come from a relationship with God and from obeying His Word.
In Proverbs 9:10, it is written, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
This verse emphasizes that the foundation of wisdom and understanding begins with the reverence and respect for God, which leads to a life that reflects His commands.
The Vanity of Worldly Pursuits
Now, in our modern generation, everything is easier. We often believe that wealth will provide the answers to life’s questions. But Solomon also searched for wealth and material gain, hoping they would bring him the happiness and fulfillment he sought, only to conclude that they were VANITY and LIES.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Solomon’s experience reveals a profound truth: the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and material success without a foundation in God ultimately leads to emptiness.
Solomon also searched for happiness in relationships and pleasures, including through numerous wives and concubines. Yet, he declared that none of these brought lasting fulfillment.
Ecclesiastes 2:8-9 says, “I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.”
Yet, despite all his wealth and pleasures, he concluded that it was all vanity.
The Importance of Remembering the Creator
The Bible warns against waiting too long to seek God’s wisdom and guidance. Solomon urges the young to remember their Creator while they are still in their youth.
In
Ecclesiastes 12:1, he writes, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’”
This is a call to turn to God early in life, before the challenges of aging and life’s difficulties make it harder to do so.
The Importance of Obeying God’s Commands
Solomon’s final advice is simple yet profound: remember your Creator and obey His commandments. This is the way to live a life of purpose, fulfillment, and peace. The book of Proverbs is filled with guidance on this subject, as Solomon continually emphasizes the importance of wisdom and instruction in following God’s ways.
In Proverbs 4:10-12, Solomon advises, “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”
Following God’s wisdom and commands brings stability and peace to life.
The Role of Jesus Christ in Our Life
As Christians, we understand that the ultimate fulfillment of the wisdom Solomon sought is found in Jesus Christ.
In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus is the key to understanding and living out the wisdom that Solomon spoke about. Through faith in Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live according to God’s will, which leads to eternal peace and fulfillment.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Solomon’s wisdom points us to the need for a relationship with God and the importance of following His commands. Solomon’s journey of searching for meaning in worldly pleasures and achievements only led him to declare them as vanity. Now, we are called to heed his final conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all humans.
If you have not yet embraced this wisdom, the call remains: turn to God, repent of your sins, and place your trust in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This is the path to true life, peace, and purpose.
May you choose this path today.
