“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. “
–Matthew 16:16
Jesus gave the instructions in Matthew 16:16 to His disciples as they prepared to leave Him and enter into the world.
What he meant was: Have an awareness of the wiles of the enemy, but DO NOT let yourself be deceived into FOLLOWING those sly ways.
Paul said much the same later in Romans 16:19.
“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”
Believers are to know the tricks and traps of Satan (and those who follow him). YET, though Christians are to be aware of these snares, they are not to stoop to partake in them themselves.
The apostle Paul again said this one more time in 1Corinthians 14:20.
“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”
Some false religions state it is okay to lie, steal or other transgressions AS LONG AS one is doing them in service to the false gods of that religion. That is NOT what Jesus and Paul were talking about. They would have believers understand the ways of the wicked IN ORDER TO AVOID THOSE PITFALLS.
Believers are to discern between good and evil.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. “
–Matthew 16:16
Good advice in Jesus’ day.
Good advice in the times in which we now find ourselves.
Does the reader believe he is a believer?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
Does the reader believe he is a non-believer?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”
—2 Corinthians 4:3
MORE: WARNING: Seven Warnings for the End Times
MORE: END TIMES WARNINGS: Trying to Warn the Deceived
[Portions of this piece first appeared in End Times Prophecy Headlines: September 21, 2016.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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