When Jesus was preparing to send the twelve disciples out into public ministry, He gathered his twelve messengers close and imparted to them powerful spiritual authority over unclean spirits, power to drive them out, and power to cure all kinds of disease, weakness, and infirmity. In wisdom and power Jesus intimately spoke these words to his special messengers, “Freely you have received the power of the kingdom, so freely release it to others”. He was sending them out to proclaim the wonderful news of the kingdom realm of God, and the Name of Jesus the Anointed One.
Jesus understood his disciples’ human weakness and their vulnerability to be drawn into deception and being misled by the many doubleminded they were called to minister among. For example, in Acts 8, when Simon the sorcerer was converted to Christianity and saw how the Holy Spirit was released through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he approached them and offered them money, for he wanted this power. Simon’s motivations were not pure, and Peter discerned that power, greed, and envy had poisoned Simon, and captivated him into darkness. Peter then confronted the duplicity of Simon by saying, “You will never have this gift or take part in this ministry, for your heart is not right with God. Repent and plead with the Lord that He will forgive the treachery of your heart”. Peter was wise as a serpent and saw through the deception that resided within the newly converted Simon’s heart.
Jesus told the disciples, “Now, remember, it is I who sends you out, even though you feel vulnerable as lambs going into a pack of wolves”. So be as wise, perceptive, and shrewd as snakes yet as harmless and gentle as doves. When we go out into the world in Jesus Name, we must become ‘wise as serpents’. That is we must ask for the gift of discernment, as we learn to be perceptive and insightful as to what is really taking place within the heart of man. This type of wisdom will keep us from being deceived by people that say one thing and do another, while not walking in truth or honesty. Discernment and wisdom are powerful gifts that the Holy Spirit desires to teach and develop in the heart and soul of every true believer.
At the same time, we are directed to be gentle as doves. That is we are called to be understanding, calm, kind, and tender. For example, In John 8, when Jesus spoke to the woman caught in the very act of adultery, the ‘separated ones’ condemned her in anger and wanted to stone her to death. Jesus dealt with them by convicting their conscience with words of Truth, and they all walked away. Then Jesus the Anointed One said, “Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you? I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin”. Jesus gently spoke words of truth to this dear woman, and gave her His Light, forgiveness, direction, and a transforming freedom for her life! Such a beautiful example of the power of gentleness!
Jesus said, I am light to the world and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light and they will never walk in darkness”. The combination of shrewdness and gentleness is a powerful force that will help usher in His Light, while at the same time piercing through the darkness. May Lord Yahweh anoint us with the fragrance of the Holy Spirit, as we become vessels of His life-giving light to world that is lost, hurting, and in need of experiencing God’s great love!
“Now remember, it is I who sends you out, even though you feel vulnerable as lambs going into a pack of wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes yet as harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16 tPt
