Jesus said for us to be “wise as serpents, but gentle as doves” Matt 10:16.
So the wolves and vipers of the world attack us when we approach them to tell them the Truth. Filled with knowledge, but having no desire to change, they like to use carnal knowledge as a defence against spiritual truth. No matter how humbly, patiently or compassionately we come, they love to accuse us of not being as gentle as doves, hence they do not believe we are sent by Christ to charge them to repent.
By so doing, only Christ Himself can approach them. However, remember what their kind did to Him when He came to call them to repentance? They accused Him of having an evil spirit, of working by the power of Satan, of blaspheming against God, and eventually, they killed Him! What better treatment can we expect?
They may be hard to spot, but when one spots a viper, do not try to engage them to convert them. We are not sent to vipers but to the lost sheep! Jesus also warned against casting our pearls among arrogant and dangerous beasts whose desires are not to listen and change, but to rip you to shreds!
There is no bird, however wise or gentle, that can convince a serpent that it can fly! Serpents are cursed to crawl on their bellies, and those who choose to become vipers are only out to add to their number those who are cursed. There is also no sheep that can turn a wolf into a friend, however smart or gentle!
Yes, you can learn from observing the serpent. Be as wise and crafty as they are. It will help as you avoid them and some fiesty and dangerous birds, like the vultures. But remain true to who you are. Remain gentle as a dove and humble as a sheep, that you may be distinguished as true followers of the Christ.
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Categories: Issues of Life, The Latest, True Religion
Grace and Truth 
This is a great truth. However, for the past couple of days I have not been able to get past the fact that so many who claim Jesus as Lord have the bull in the china shop approach. They lash out at anyone who does not believe as they believe, whether they are the saved or the unsaved.
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Your observations is also true. I believe those are the vultures or wolves in sheeps clothing. They undermine the witness of true believers, so that people are less likely to believe.
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Interesting way to look at it! I also think that there is resistance when they look at us and feel that we don’t practice what we preach. I think it is important that we constantly model a life that is ruled by Christ to all those around us. Our love and our joy will do much to break down barriers and then allow for real conversations! Peace!
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Thanks for your contribution! I agree that we do not always act as we should, and that can hinder people from listening to our witness. However, this post is about when we have done our best to represent Christ, and we hit a brick wall or face accusations on our character, we need to remember that they rejected Jesus first.
The truth is, a sincere person will accept a criticism from a fool, a brute or even an animal – if God so chooses to speak through one. But an insincere person will reject any and every revelation.
It is God who convicts. We just have to do the best we can to ensure that we are not a cause of offense to others.
Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
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