“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16
I believe it was author and song-writer John Fischer who I heard once expounding on Matthew 10:16 as he spoke and performed at Asbury Seminary for a special event back in the late 90s while I was a student there. Anyway, it seems like something he would say.
Even if I am uncertain of the speaker, I do clearly recall what was said:
“Jesus told his followers to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. My experience is that too many Christians have gotten this exactly backwards: They are mean as snakes and dumb as birds.”
I remember being impressed with the clever turn of phrase.
And discouraged by the accuracy of the assertion.
In the decades since I first heard this sentiment, I have, unfortunately, too often experienced both meanness and idiocy at the hands of self-professed Christians (as hinted at elsewhere in this blog).
What Fischer said is true. Sometimes Christians are mean as snakes and dumb as birds.
But I strive to forgive, recognizing that I too have been mean and dumb at times.
Even so, we are called to shrewdness and innocence, so stupidity and meanness among Christians should be called out and challenged … in a spirit of love.
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