: Be wise as serpents, and harmless as dove:

Ø  Matthew 10:16-19 > Wolves are Satan

Ø  In John 10:10, we found purpose of Satan.

Ø  We need to be wise as snake.

Ø  What are snakes trying to protect? > Their Head.

Ø  A Snakes first line of defense is avoidance

·         2 Corinthians 11:3

·         Genesis 3:11

Ø  A Serpent is wise.

Ø  Proverbs 4:7- principle thing need in this world is wisdom.

Ø  Wisdom is within our reach

Ø  WISE AS SERPENT.

Ø  To protect ourselves

1.    Proverbs 2:2- Wisdom in our hearing

2.    Proverbs 2:10 > Our heart must be filled with wisdom

3.    Proverbs 3:21 > Our eyes must be filled

4.    Proverbs 10:13; Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 10:31 > Our mouth must be speaking wisdom

5.    Proverbs 27:12- Our nose must be filled with wisdom

6.    Proverbs 15:27- Our touch must be filled with wisdom

Ø  Therefore, to be “wise as serpents” refer to the ability of the disciples to avoid unnecessary contact with the “wolves”, and to know how to handle the situation in a way that minimize the ability of the “wolves” to succeed. We as a Jesus’ disciple should not provoke attack from our enemy, but rather behave in such a fashion that frustrates the design of the wicked against us.

Ø  HARMLESS AS DOVES

Ø  To be harmless as Doves” expresses the need of Jesus’ disciples to be above reproach in both conduct and speech.

Ø  1 Samuel 23: David spares the life of Saul > David was wise to escape multiple attack from Saul, but when time came he spares Saul’s life, because he didn’t want to take life of God’s anointed one, and acted as a harmless Dove.

Sermon Notes: www.intlcog.org, Date: 10/26/2014