Some of my fondest memories as a father involve reading to my children. As they got older, I relished the opportunity to read more complex plots with a wider variety of characters. My favorite books involved harrowing combat on the battlefield followed by disciplined chivalry on their arrival home. It is a difficult, but important task to teach sons how to appropriately exercise force in some scenarios and absolute restraint in others. It’s one of the chief lessons for adolescents, and for those that find that balance, the result is great confidence.
Christians can find a similar confidence in a different kind of balance, one between wisdom and innocence. Jesus told His disciples, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt. 10:16). Just as boys will become men that will enter a world full of swindlers, so Christians are sent into a wolf-filled world. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour and his offspring emulate his predatory characteristics.
The author of the book of Judges condemned those wolves by writing, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jdg. 21:25). It was a scathing condemnation of the widespread wickedness of the people. In modern American culture, however, that charge has become a commendation! Andreas Köstenberger and Michael Kruger write, “Unlike in the days of the judges, this is not [viewed] as an indictment but celebrated as the ultimate expression of truly enlightened humanity. All is fluid, doctrine is dead, and diversity reigns.”
How are Christians to conduct themselves in a world that so arrogantly bares its fangs against basic, foundational, creational truths? Jesus’ exhortation to His original listeners applies equally to Christians today. You are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Just as young men must learn the balance between aggression and restraint, so this admonition communicates that the Christian must balance wisdom and innocence.
A man that is capable of exercising great force but fails to control it appropriately is a bully. He compounds problems by becoming an antagonist. Proverbs 26:18-19, “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’” Conversely, a man that is utterly restrained at all times is a coward. They are like Peter during Jesus’ inquisition or the men that deserted Paul at the first sign of opposition. “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small” (Prov. 24:10).
Likewise, it is important that Christians invest in both wisdom and innocence. One that is wise at the expense of innocence risk outrunning God’s will. Self-designed efforts to fight what you believe is “the good fight” relies on human tactics. Without innocence godly wisdom becomes worldly wisdom, and the Adversary would love for you to believe that you know a better way to overcome him than what the Bible prescribes.
The other lopsided approach is to focus on innocence at the expense of wisdom. Some avoid the world so strenuously that there is virtually no opportunity to share the gospel. Jesus prayed, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). A plan to keep the armor of God as shiny and untouched as possible is self-serving. Armor is designed for battle and the world needs you to take the sword of the Spirit (biblical wisdom) into it.
The Christian that gains an equal measure of wisdom and innocence will enjoy great confidence. With Luther you can sing “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear for God has willed his truth to triumph though us.” Pray through the following two Scriptures, asking the Lord to grow you in both wisdom and innocence and to prevent you from neglecting either.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Ps. 19:7)
…Be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Phil. 2:15)