Daily Journal: 25 June

Shrewd Innocence

Combining shrewd and innocence seems, at first, to be a juxtaposition (placing two things together that sharply contrast each other).

Shrewd has parallel dictionary definitions of cunning, and cunning carries the connotation, or idea, of deceit. We can, therefore, misunderstand the word, shrewd. But shrewd isn’t deceitful.

Likewise, innocence can be misunderstood as naivety because of its parallel dictionary definition of being guileless. But we then misunderstand the word innocence.

Let’s look at various definitions for a little clarity and try and connect some dots.

(DEFINITIONS FROM OXFORD LANGUAGES)

Naïve

Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement

Innocence

Lack of guile or corruption; purity

Purity

Freedom from adulteration or contamination or immorality

Guile

Sly or cunning intelligence.

Sly

Having a deceitful nature

Cunning

Showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion

Shrewd

Having or showing sharp powers of judgement; astute

Astute

Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage

When Jesus sent His disciples out, this is what He said:

Matthew 10:16 (NIV)

‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Other translations use the word harmless in place of innocence.

What is Jesus saying?

What do snakes do? They slither along the ground on their bellies. They live alone. They’re predators. They’re observant and stealthy. They know when to move and when to stay hidden.

What do doves do? They fly. They’re monogamous and live in family clusters. Their nests are platform, not concave. Perhaps we can imagine this is an example of transparency? The nests are simple, may be described as flimsy, made from twigs and grasses that can be found anywhere. Perhaps we can imagine this is an example of humility, or being unpretentious.

Jesus sent out his disciples with the instruction not to take anything with them (Matthew 10:9-10). He said he didn’t even have a home (Matthew 8:20). The bible warns us not to invest our treasures in earthly things because we can’t take it with us (Matthew 6). There seems to be a real message in the simple dove nest.

Clearly, Jesus isn’t telling us to be deceitful or two-faced, He is telling us to be astute and transparent. He isn’t telling us to be naïve, He is telling us to be pure and unpretentious. He isn’t telling us to be manipulative or selfish, He is telling us to be observant and insightful, to be humble and to use wisdom. He is telling us to be able to see the underbelly of people and situations and be sharp enough to see the reality but to separate ourselves from all that is wrong, according to the standards of the bible, not the standards of the world. He is telling us to be strong and watchful, not fool-hardy.

Matthew 10:1 (NIV)

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus does not want His disciples to be victims, He wants His disciples to be wise and keep their peace. Doves aren’t strong, they're gentle, but Jesus instructs His disciples to drive out impurity, to heal, to walk in His authority.

Matthew 10:11-13 (NLT)

“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing.

Jesus instructs His disciples to keep their peace and hold onto their blessing if it's not welcomed. Jesus clearly defines His boundaries for us. Like doves, we are to be unattached enough to be able to leave a situation quickly (flight) without leaving anything of value behind (simplicity of their nests) or carrying anything burdensome.

I pray we can receive the lessons from His Dove, the Holy Spirit, today.