Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)

We read in Ecclesiastes chapter 9 that wisdom is better than strength, wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. My brothers and sisters in Christ, “Be ye therefore wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove, for wisdom brings success. A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart is at his left, even when a fool walks along the way he lacks wisdom and he shows everyone that he is a fool. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up, the words of his mouth begin with foolishness and the end of his talk is raving madness. The lips of the righteous feeds many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. The lips of the righteous knows what is acceptable to God, but the mouth of the wicked knows only what is perverse.” Daily we are sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves, therefore, we must fear God to know his ways, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.