In Matthew 10:16, Jesus advises His followers to be “shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.”
According to Merriam-Webster, shrewdness is:
- Shrewd: characterized by clever, discerning awareness and practical, hardheaded acumen. Or, given to wily and artful ways or dealing.
Merriam-Webster further defines:
- Hardheaded: Concerned with or involving practical considerations; sober, realistic.
- Acumen: The keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination, especially in practical matters.
A related biblical virtue is prudence, which is described as:
- Prudence: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. Or, sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs.
What particularly stands out is an obsolete definition of shrewd:
- Shrewd (obs): ominous, dangerous.
In light of Matthew 10:16, this synthesizes to create a specific interpretation that being as shrewd as a snake—and as innocent as a dove—means to hold great power to cause change, damage, or impact in a matter, while always exercising gentleness and self-control. I believe one who masters those qualities is seen as powerful and respectable. After all, how does anyone command respect if they’re not seen as a threat to anything in any way? This idea echoes Theodore Roosevelt’s famous saying: “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
More Boldness—More Experience
From Proverbs 8:5, it can be seen that lack of shrewdness is the result of lack of experience. Being strong and courageous in your approach to life accelerates the influx of experience. This approach allows one to do things they wouldn’t have done otherwise. Therefore, boldness is a solution in this matter. I believe that which inhibits boldness is of the devil. Also, learning from the Word of God is a solution in this matter, as the scriptures are a better teacher than life experience is (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Being strong and courageous in your approach to life accelerates the influx of experience.
I beseech ye therefore brethren, notice the details and then act accordingly.
Dark Side of Shrewdness
In Acts 7:19, we see how God’s people were subdued by a king who acted shrewdly, resulting in their death and enslavement. In this case, the enemy achieved kingdom expansion. The expansion of the kingdom of God happens outside of the walls of the church. Don’t give the unbelievers the advantage. Remember, only one kingdom can rule a given territory—a fundamentally competitive reality.
Daniel 8:23-25 illustrates the dark side of shrewdness, where a cunning king ascends to power through deceit, seizing what is not rightfully his. Described as insolent, skilled with intrigued, cunning, ruthless, successful, powerful, and destructive, he had extreme dominance in human undertakings. Similarly, the Tower of Babel demonstrates that even unity and imagination—gifts from God—can be twisted for negative ends when applied without righteousness. Indeed, what God designed for good can be used for evil.
Proverbs 22:3 reminds us that ignorance is not bliss; what we fail to perceive can ultimately harm us. What you do not know will hurt you. Do not be naïve. There is much pain that can be avoided.
Look at Jeremiah 4:22, Romans 16:19, and 1 Corinthians 14:20—be wise in what is good and innocent concerning evil. You don’t need to experience everything firsthand to gain wisdom. Learn from both the successes and failures of others. Not all experiences are necessary, and some can be detrimental. Do not feel pressured to engage in what is harmful—stay away from what does not benefit you.
Luke 16:8 hurts to read, revealing that the unjust often apply kingdom principles more effectively than believers. Consider the rise to power in Acts 7:19 and Daniel 8:23-25—both illustrate how calculated strategy, even when used for evil, can yield great influence. Even in modern times, the largest and most influential corporations are often not Christian organizations. Instead, the “sons of this world” often excel in planning, resource management, and strategic execution more than many believers.
God has created us with the capacity for strategic thinking and careful planning. Therefore, He has purpose for these abilities. By walking in boldness and wisdom, we can develop shrewdness as an effective and advantageous quality.
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