01/08/2024
The wisdom of the serpent
Matthew 10:16
[16]βBehold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
I may not delve into the exposition of this scripture today.
But I asked myself many times; what do I need to learn from a snake? A snake!
Until the Lord began teaching me about "the wisdom of the snake".
There are several things we can learn from a snake, and from this verse. Let's sample a few.
1. A snake is one of the most quiet animals.
It does not scream or shout, it only hisses. It slithers quietly and has no ability to stomp. It can slither in and out unnoticed, and if you haven't yet seen it, it will remain hidden.
And this taught me that there are times God wants me to exercise this wisdom. Be quiet and don't expose myself unnecessarily.
Parts of my life are and will always remain private. Irrespective of how often people push to know some times, no one is entitled to know you beyond a certain limit. They are called safe boundaries.
So, don't post all your life on social media. That's not wisdom. Remain hidden, for there is safety there.
A snake can live in a household for years, and they don't know it's there. It only comes out to feed and hides again.
Whether it is your work place or ministry etc, exercise silence and discretion. They say silence can never be misquoted, and discretion is kingly.
Show me a king who speaks about state affairs without discretion.
There is none.
2. A snake's renewal.
It is said that an average snake sheds off its skin atleast once a year, or several times a year, depending on its growth.
Why do snakes shed off their skin?
Because the old skin can no longer accommodate their growth.
Since the snake has no hands, it is said that the snake will rub itself against something hard and rough like a stone to create a small tear, yet avoiding to injure itself fatally. It then slithers out of the old skin because beneath the old rugged skin is a new shiny one.
