Matthew 10:16

AMP

Matthew 10:16

“Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda].

Luke 10:3

Go your way; listen carefully: I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

Acts 20:29

I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ.

Philippians 2:15

so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness],

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

Genesis 3:13

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent beguiled and deceived me, and I ate [from the forbidden tree].”

Luke 21:15

for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

Romans 16:18-19

For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites and base desires. By smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting [the innocent and the naive].

2 Corinthians 1:12

This is our [reason for] proud confidence: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [in general], and especially toward you, with pure motives and godly sincerity, not in human wisdom, but in the grace of God [that is, His gracious lovingkindness that leads people to Christ and spiritual maturity].

2 Corinthians 8:20

We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift.

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Ephesians 5:15-17

Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],

Colossians 1:9

For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things],

Colossians 4:5

Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].

1 Thessalonians 2:10

You are witnesses, and so is God, how unworldly and just and blameless was our behavior toward you who believe [in our Lord Jesus Christ].

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

As sheep

Luke 10:3

Acts 20:29

Wise

Harmless

1 Thessalonians 5:22

General references

Habakkuk 1:3

Bible References

As sheep

Go your way; listen carefully: I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

Wise

for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

For the report of your obedience has reached everyone, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ.

Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].

Harmless

For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites and base desires. By smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting [the innocent and the naive].

We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift.

But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ.

You are witnesses, and so is God, how unworldly and just and blameless was our behavior toward you who believe [in our Lord Jesus Christ].

Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].

General references

and he said, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the other camp which is left will escape.”

Put my [personal] cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his grain money.” And the steward did as Joseph had told him.

David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.

(The Bridegroom)
“Like the lily among the thorns,
So are you, my darling, among the maidens.”

Why do You make me see iniquity,
And cause me to look on wickedness?
For destruction and violence are before me;
Strife continues and contention arises.