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- Oct 26, 2007
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I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
On August 30, 1918, near the end of World War I, an American colonel discarded a false set of plans for a major Allied offensive, knowing that a German spy would find them. The misdirection, called the Belfort Ruse after the French town near where it occurred, was last-ditch effort to capture key ground when all standard efforts had failed. The trick worked, the Germans pulled back, and the Allies were able to open crucial supply lines.
Sharing your beliefs sometimes requires similar cleverness—not deception but awareness of people and situations. The dove comparison sounds nice, with its associations with peace and problem-solving. The serpent, not so much. But Jesus would never tell you to emulate Satan’s behavior, so He was clearly evoking a serpent’s positive qualities, a shrewd sort of cunning that enables them to survive in hostile environments.
Jesus wasn’t always gentle, and He used His wits to avoid being killed by His enemies for years. Paul followed His example. He stood up for himself, employing his legal rights as a Roman citizen to serve his ministry, and wisely considered his audience, whether it was Athenians or Pharisees. But he lived in good conscience before God and men and curbed his fleshly desires to protect his ministry.
Ask God to help you make the most of your Gospel-sharing opportunities, standing for truth with love and compassion.
On August 30, 1918, near the end of World War I, an American colonel discarded a false set of plans for a major Allied offensive, knowing that a German spy would find them. The misdirection, called the Belfort Ruse after the French town near where it occurred, was last-ditch effort to capture key ground when all standard efforts had failed. The trick worked, the Germans pulled back, and the Allies were able to open crucial supply lines.
Sharing your beliefs sometimes requires similar cleverness—not deception but awareness of people and situations. The dove comparison sounds nice, with its associations with peace and problem-solving. The serpent, not so much. But Jesus would never tell you to emulate Satan’s behavior, so He was clearly evoking a serpent’s positive qualities, a shrewd sort of cunning that enables them to survive in hostile environments.
Jesus wasn’t always gentle, and He used His wits to avoid being killed by His enemies for years. Paul followed His example. He stood up for himself, employing his legal rights as a Roman citizen to serve his ministry, and wisely considered his audience, whether it was Athenians or Pharisees. But he lived in good conscience before God and men and curbed his fleshly desires to protect his ministry.
Ask God to help you make the most of your Gospel-sharing opportunities, standing for truth with love and compassion.
