Everybody, what is going on? You know what time it is. You're listening to join the Journey podcast

with your host, Emma, daughter. Thanks for joining. You've probably heard the phrase,

ignorance is bliss, but according to Jesus, that's actually a dangerous place to be. I know we have a lot

of new listeners joining us today, so I want to pause for

just a moment and let you guys know that you can actually access the full Join the Journey

New Testament reading plan a few different ways. You can easily read along with us online by

visiting join the journey.com or by downloading the Join the app. If you choose to access the reading plan through the website or app, you'll be able to read a short

devotional regarding that day's passage, walk through some discussion questions, comment

and interact with other readers, or even sign up to receive each day's scripture in Devo via

email every morning.

Plus, if you use the app, you can set reminders on your phone

to make sure you don't neglect your time in God's word. In today's devotional, Doug walked us

through a lot of Jesus' instruction to the disciples. But for our time together on this podcast,

I want to zoom in on one piece of instruction, be wise as serpents and innocent

as doves. That's Matthew 10, verse 16. Jesus says, behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst

of wolves. So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Now some of us, we feel that, or at least the first part. Maybe your workplace isn't

very accepting of a Christian worldview, or you've got a friend or family member that's an eccentric

atheist. If that's you, you probably understand that the sheep in the midst of wolves part

pretty well. But what does Jesus mean when he says be wise as serpents and innocent as

doves? Let's break it into parts. Starting with his instruction to be wise like a serpent. Wise,

meaning prudent or quick, intelligent, able to exercise good judgment. And then think back to Genesis

3. The serpent was crafty or shrewd.

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