Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Christians should not be stagnant people. We should realize that we have a mission and that time is short for us to complete our goals. Jesus tells us He is sending us out as sheep in the midst of wolves. We the sheep are appearing as the weaker of the two. But we are sent out to seek the wolves. The world is not an easy place to survive none the less be active in pursuing people for salvation.

Therefore we must be wise as serpents. Serpents are hated. They must be cunning in surviving. Yes, we as Christians will be hated by the world. People do not know Jesus, so they are intertwined with sin. They only know physical pleasure and their wants. We are to tell them about sin and how to be saved from the punishment it deserves. Some will choose not to listen. Some will turn bitter and persecute you. But using wisdom that is supplied by God the gospel will spread.

We must do this and be harmless as doves. Jesus will not force Himself on anyone. So we must not be forceful with the gospel. We should not shame people for living in a state in which they do not know they live. The second greatest command according to Jesus: love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love is the key to salvation. So go forth in love and do no harm as sheep spreading the gospel to a lost world. Eternity awaits us all.