Matthew 10:16

Persecution Of Disciples Predicted

¹⁵ It is true when I say to you, the districts around Sodom and Gomorrah [i.e., despite their gross sins] will be shown more leniency than that town on the day of judgment. ¹⁶ Here is how it will be: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore you should be as crafty [Note: The Greek word here is "sensible"] as snakes, yet as harmless [Note: The Greek word is "sincere"] as doves. ¹⁷ But, watch out for people, for they will turn you over to the [Jewish] councils [for judgment] and will have you flogged in their synagogues.

Harmless as Doves

Here I Am

It is I

Innocent As Doves

Pay Attention

No

Luke 10:3

[So], go on; See, I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

Acts 20:29

[Because] I know that after I am gone [from here] there will be vicious wolves [i.e., ravaging false teachers] who will come in among you, and they will not spare the flock [i.e., the congregation].

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that somehow, just as the snake tricked Eve by his cunning, your minds might [also] be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Philippians 2:15

so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers, do not be children in the way you think, but be babies in wrongdoing; yet be mature in your thinking.

Luke 21:15

for I will give you a mouth [i.e., the ability to speak properly] and wisdom [i.e., the knowledge of what to say], which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.

Romans 16:18-19

For such men are not serving our Lord Christ but their own [unspiritual] appetites. They are deceiving the minds of innocent people by their smooth talk and flattering words.

2 Corinthians 1:12

For this is what we boast of: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and godly sincerity, not with human wisdom, but with the favor of God.

2 Corinthians 8:20

[We made this arrangement] to avoid anyone blaming us for the way we handled this generous gift.

2 Corinthians 11:14

And it is no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light [i.e., someone pure and righteous].

Ephesians 5:15-17

So, be careful how you live. Do not live ignorantly, but wisely,

Colossians 1:9

So, this is why, since the day we heard about these things, we do not stop praying for you and requesting that you people be filled [by God] with the knowledge of what He wants [for your lives], and with spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 4:5

Be wise in the way you live in front of outsiders [i.e., non-Christians], making the most of every opportunity.

1 Thessalonians 2:10

You can testify, [just] as God can, how holy, righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Avoid [the practice of] every kind of evil.