Wise as serpents and innocent as doves

One of my good friends once told me that after she read Eric Berne's Games People Play several years ago, she spent 3 months studying the book of Proverbs and found that it was much more fruitful. And in doing so, she can strive to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matt 10:16b).

Indeed, as Jesus sent the twelve out into mission, he said in part, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." (Matt 10:16-23)

In our course of life, we are witnesses for God in whatever we do - in words or in deeds, and even in thought. So we need to be mindful how we live our lives. Proverbs would be a good place to start on how to live this life wisely.

But reading Proverbs will not be an easy feat. Context will be different in comparison and language as well is different. And they are also somewhat all over the place and each almost stands on its own. Looks like I will take more than 3 months to study them, as I will only be able to handle one at a time.

pearlie