Matthew 10:16

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

Colossians 4:5

Harmless

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Bible References

As sheep

Now, go. Remember, I am sending you out as my Messengers like lambs among wolves.

I know that, after my departure, merciless wolves will get in among you, who will not spare the flock;

Wise

For I will myself give you words, and a wisdom which all your opponents together will be unable to resist or defy.

Every one has heard of your ready obedience. It is true that I am very happy about you, but I want you to be well versed in all that is good, and innocent of all that is bad.

Brothers, do not show yourselves children in understanding. In wickedness be infants, but in understanding show yourselves men.

Yet I fear that it may turn out that, just as the Serpent by his craftiness deceived Eve, so your minds may have lost the loyalty and purity due from you to the Christ.

Take great care, then, how you live--not unwisely but wisely,

And therefore we, from the very day that we heard this, have never ceased praying for you, or asking that you may possess that deeper knowledge of the will of God, which comes through all true spiritual wisdom and insight.

Show tact in your behavior to the outside world, making the most of every opportunity.

Harmless

For such persons are not serving Christ, our Master, but are slaves to their own appetites; and, by their smooth words and flattery, they deceive simple-minded people.

Indeed, our main ground for satisfaction is this--Our conscience tells us that our conduct in the world, and still more in our relations with you, was marked by a purity of motive and a sincerity that were inspired by God, and was based, not on worldly policy, but on the help of God.

What we are specially guarding against is that any fault should be found with us in regard to our administration of this charitable fund;

Yet I fear that it may turn out that, just as the Serpent by his craftiness deceived Eve, so your minds may have lost the loyalty and purity due from you to the Christ.

So as to prove yourselves blameless and innocent-- 'faultless children of God, in the midst of an evil-disposed and perverse generation,' in which you are seen shining like stars in a dark world,

You will bear witness, and God also, that our relations with you who believed in Christ were pure, and upright, and beyond reproach.

Shun every form of evil.