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Shrewd as Snakes, Innocent as Doves
2025-08-20
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“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

Verses: Matthew 10:1-16, Romans 16:19


Photo by Hamdhulla Shakeeb on Unsplash


As Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, the Lord instructed them to “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves”. This guidance is not merely an exhortation for the twelve, but an enduring reminder for all generations of believers. Now, let us delve into the implications of this bible verse and discover the guidance for our contemporary lives.

Be a Discerning Disciple

The context of Jesus’ teaching to “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” was when he was sending the twelve disciples out on a missionary journey. It turned out to be the first commission for these disciples since they had been called.

In Matthew 10:1-16, Jesus entrusted the disciples with authority and commanded them with six “dos” and seven “don’ts”. 

The six “don’ts” are “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans; Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts -- no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff” (Matthew 10:5-10).



Here are another seven “dos” commanded by Jesus: “As you go, proclaim this message”, “Freely you received; freely give”, “Search there for some worthy person and stay at their house”, “Give it your greeting”, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dusk off your feet”, and “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:7-16).

The instructions imply that Jesus had a thorough perception and understanding of the exterior environment facing the disciples. Regarding the acquisition of these perceptive skills, Jesus, as an insightful example, taught them to learn from the shrewdness of snakes.

Snakes in the Bible are often portrayed as the symbol of craftiness (Genesis 3:1) and the representation of Satan (Revelation 12:9). But in Matthew 10:16, Jesus demanded the disciples to be as “shrewd” as snakes. The word “shrewd” here is not equivalent to “crafty”; rather, it reflects sharp perception and adaptability to the environment.

Snakes are perceptive creatures and their constant vigilance allows them to evade dangers just in time and adapt to different conditions, maintaining great flexibility and mobility in various environments. The term “shrewd” signifies being “astute” and “wise”, qualities that the disciples should learn. 



The wisdom of being shrewd is what today’s Christians need in this challenging era. Instead of escaping from the world, we seek to engage with it wisely, becoming perceptive and discerning about our society and environment. It is never advisable to adopt an  attitude of turning a deaf ear to the outside world while focusing solely on theoretical studies.

Take Paul the Apostle as an example. During his time in Athens, this missionary frequently quoted Greek poetry in his preaching (Acts 17:8). His expertise in local culture allowed him to gain quick acceptance among the Athenians. 

Be an Adaptive and Flexible Disciple

In addition to the six “don’ts”, Jesus also commanded the disciples with seven “dos”, indicating the demand for adaptability and flexibility. These requirements align with the principles of shrewdness and innocence. This means they should respond to people’s reactions to the gospel of “The kingdom is near” by either engaging in deeper preaching, making a timely pause, or even decisively walking away. 

This corresponds with how Jesus preached before the Nazarenes in the hometown: “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith” (Matthew 13:58).

What Jesus did is not a manifestation of a lack of love and faith, but rather an appropriate use and cherishing of them. In our limited lifetime, we should invest our love and faith on “the appropriate person” to produce multiple outcomes.



As it is taught by Jesus, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6)”

Ungrateful people are unable to love each other; those who do not repent cannot be committed to performing good deeds. For individuals who are spiritually asleep, showing respect is the best way to demonstrate care until they naturally awaken, which is a true expression of profound love.


Life Requires a Protective Force



The teachings of Jesus can be seen not only as the guiding principles for the disciples’ ministry, but also as a protective force. Imagine if the disciples ignored all the “don’t” and “dos” behind, acting willfully and disobediently. They would likely encounter undesirable outcomes, including conflicts and harm.

Jesus asked the disciples to be as “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves”, meaning they should maintain a balance between “shrewdness” and “innocence”. By skillfully utilizing these qualities, they would be well-protected in complex circumstance.

In the Bible, doves often represent peace, purity, and obedience. The dove carrying an olive branch in the story of Noah’s Ark symbolizes peace and hope (Genesis 8:11). When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, representing the presence of God (Matthew 3:16). These examples demonstrate that, in addition to being shrewd, the disciples should also pursue peace and comply with the Lord’s commission like doves in various situations.



Paul also instructed believers to be “wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19). The apostle urged them to hold fast to the true essence of goodness with honesty and obedience, resist the temptation of sugar-coated liars, and avoid and disconnect from sins.

Being innocent never means weakness, but rather steadfastly embracing the truth; it was never about a compromise, but rather adhering to it in love. Daniel serves as an excellent example. In the palace of Babylon, he showcased great wisdom and unwavering faith in God. He served as an administrative official in a foreign nation while consistently practicing his faith; he could coexist with other religious cultures while sanctifying God (Daniel 1:6). Similar examples can be found in the Gospels and the Acts, which recount the stories of Jesus and the disciples during their mission journeys. 

In modern society, we should strive to live a balanced life: to pursue excellence while maintaining honesty in the workplace, to embrace modern lifestyles while preserving traditional cultural virtues in family life, to keep up with the times while staying true to the truth in church life, to eagerly seek righteousness while rejecting cults and defending against heresies on the path of spiritual growth, for fear that the latter may lead us away from Christ.

Those who listen to and follow the Lord’s instructions resemble building a house on a rock, which will not be blown away by wind, destroyed by rain, or shattered by floods; otherwise, the house will suffer severe damage or even collapse (Matthew 7:24-27). Therefore, we must remain vigilant and keep the Lord’s teachings in mind, as they can offer us protective power.



Jesus’ teaching to be “as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” provides us with wise guidance for maintaining our faith in the new era. It reminds us, as Christians, of the importance of being both perceptive and adaptive, while also adhering to the Lord’s teachings as a shield for our lives.

May we, in this ever-changing era, be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves. Guided by the Holy Spirit, may we live out this balanced life with wisdom, bearing witness to the authenticity and worth of Lord’s words. 



Author: Gao Yongliang

Translator: Bei Feng