A BALANCED POOL OF KNOWLEDGE

DAY  195

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

Our text today uses a reference of four animals- sheep, wolves, serpents, and doves – each has a  distinct nature.

The disciples were sent out as sheep into a pack of wolves. One way to survive or win over a pack of wolves would be to mimic their behaviours in a bid to be accepted into the pack. Yet, we do not hear an instruction suggesting that they were to become wolves. There is an even bigger concern: ‘wolves would only see sheep as nothing but prey, that is their instinct.

Jesus therefore throws in two other references: serpents and doves from whom they were to learn and apply wisdom and innocence respectively. Jesus deemed a mix of the calm of the sheep, the wisdom of serpents and the innocence of doves were deemed an appropriate combination to survive the ferociousness of a pack of wolves.

The body of Christ has different members, each a custodian of a dimension in God such that it is impossible to be adequately furnished ignoring every other part of the body. There are different wells of knowledge we have to draw from if our Christian experience is to become well rounded and balanced.

In truth, you are unlikely to survive the ferocity of the pack of wolves you have been sent into if you lack a well-rounded balance of spiritual knowledge.

#sly