Jesus instructed His disciples in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." In this verse, Jesus is preparing His followers for the challenges they will face as they spread the gospel. He calls them to be wise and shrewd in their dealings, yet gentle and harmless in their conduct. In a world full of opposition and danger, we are called to balance wisdom with innocence. The wisdom of the serpent is the ability to navigate difficult situations, while the harmlessness of the dove represents the purity of our motives and actions. We are to live in the world but not be of it, acting with both discernment and love.