Be wise and innocent

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16 ESV)

• To be wise

To be wise is to have wisdom. The word wisdom (חכם) is mentioned 222 times in the Hebrew Bible. Wisdom is represented by Solomon, who asks God for wisdom in 2 Chronicles 1:10. Much of the Book of Proverbs, a book of wise sayings, is attributed to Solomon. In Proverbs 9:10, the fear of God is called the beginning of wisdom.

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2-3 NIV)

• To be innocent

Innocent defined: Guiltless, blameless, in the clear, unimpeachable, irreproachable, above suspicion, faultless; honorable, honest, upright, law-abiding; informal squeaky clean.

“Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psal 32:2 NIV)

“… that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:19 NIV)