Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.”
*When someone wrongs us, we’re called to forgive them, even if they kill one of our family members, no matter what the trespass is against us, we are called to forgive.
*When you go through the deep water of life – loss – persecution – heartache, you can pray for peace, and God will deliver peace that’s so strong and overwhelming, that it makes no human sense.
*We as Christians are referred to as sheep by our Lord
*We are to be innocent and unthreatening as sheep
1 Corinthians 6:20
we aren’t our own, for we have been bought for a price, so we’re to glorify God in our bodies.
Romans 12:1
“…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to God—which is your spiritual service.”
*Christians are to be tender and unthreatening like sheep and like doves, but are to have the shrewdness of serpents.
*We are not to do anything that would appear to be threatening or offensive.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God has forgiven them.”
*What is your response to be? A response like that of sheep, that of doves: meek, humble, innocent, inoffensive, unthreatening, gentle and kind.
Matthew 5:10-12
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
