Title Start like this.
Contents
*** Start like this / Matthew 10:16-23
** Introductory words
Matthew 10:16-23, “16 Behold, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of people. They will hand you over to the councils, and they will whip you in their synagogues. 18 And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 Do not worry about how or what you will say when you hand them over. At that time he will give you something to say. 20 It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks within you. 21 Brothers will give up brothers and fathers to death, and children will die against their parents. 22 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 If they persecute you in one town, flee to that town. Truly I say to you, the Son of Man is coming, because he will not be able to go through all the towns of Israel.”
Now we stand at the end and beginning of the year. Since God created the world, time has never stopped and has flowed with countless things. In this passage of time, we are going to pass 2010 again and welcome 2011. What do you think of this time watershed? Now, people around the world are rejoicing depending on their emotions just because it is the year-end party or the sunrise. But now, you are in a special position to know God, who is in control of everything in the world, and to depend on Him. I bless all of you who fear the Lord in this way that you will be filled with God's special love and blessings.
The world we live in is incomparably dangerous and chaotic compared to the days of Jesus. The Lord also commands us in this age to do the same. The Lord teaches the wisdom to live to the saints like ‘sheep’ who live without any defense in a harsh world like ‘wolves’. The wisdom that the Lord taught is “living wisely and purely.” The Lord makes a strong impression by using the images of two animals, a 'serpent' and a 'dove'. That is why he wanted the disciples to remember them without forgetting them.
Then, did the Lord tell his disciples to have the wisdom of this world, which is Satan's? Never. It's not about having the wisdom of a snake, it's about having such a wise mind like a snake. In addition, the Lord enumerates the wise heart that the disciples should have in verse 17 and below. Let's look at verses 19-20 for example. “Do not worry about how or what you will say when you hand them over. At that time he will give you something to say, and it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” The Lord speaks of a time when the disciples are caught by the people while preaching the gospel and are handed over to the officials. In other words, when faced with such a difficult situation, he tells us not to try to escape with worldly tricks. At such times, you may be worried and bewildered, but he tells you not to use human tricks and rely on the Lord. He said that if you rely on the Lord and go boldly, the Holy Spirit will give you the words to answer. This is the wisdom the Lord speaks of. “It is relying on the help of the Holy Spirit who helps us in real time in our lives.” The Holy Spirit is a God who is always with the saints, helping and comforting them.
Moreover, he does not tell us to face persecution and face challenges for the sake of the Lord. The Holy Spirit guides our steps, sometimes even avoiding them (verses 22-23). If it's not worth fighting for, you should avoid it. The best way to avoid such things as gossip, criticism, worldly temptations, and heresies, is to avoid them. Dealing with such things will only lead to useless arguments. In 1 Timothy 6:20, it says, “O Timothy, keep what I have entrusted you with, avoiding the objections of vain and vain speech and false knowledge.” Avoid strife over strife, for this is useless and vain.” Wisdom is to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit who guides us in this way thoughtfully and carefully. I hope you have this kind of wisdom in 2011.
The Lord then says, “Be innocent as doves.” The dove has a gentle character, and the image of purity and obedience. So the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. In the original language, 'pure' has the meaning of 'unmixed', 'naive', 'sinless', 'simple', etc. In other words, not mixing with injustice is 'not compromising with the world', and not mixing with the world's filth is 'pure character'. And it is simply looking to the Lord without using worldly tricks. Some people say, ‘Even if you believe in Jesus, you have to believe as much as you can, or do you believe in the lion when you die?’ Even among the members of the church, it is said, ‘Do the work of the church, the work of service, and the work of service in moderation.’ When used in a sensible, appropriate, or good sense, it can be said to be “wisdom that does not go beyond the limits while doing the best”. However, the commonly used meaning is the bad thing, ‘to take into account one’s own interests and the views of others. This is a form that God hates.