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

Here is a verse I’ve always wondered about.
Jesus sent His disciples out to the people of Israel with instructions on where to go, what to carry, and how to act.
He reveals the difficulty of the journey – “I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves!”
Then He said, “Be wise as serpents!”
My first thought is how is a snake wise?
After much prayer and meditation, I believe I have an understanding of it.
First, consider the nature of a snake. Very cautious, patient, slow, and meticulous in its actions. It never strikes except to kill for food or in defense of itself.
Many scriptures in the NT remind us of the virtues of patience, being slow to speak, and watchful.
I want to reveal a second meaning.
The word for serpent is also synonymous for Satan – that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan. Rev 20:2
Perhaps the Christian needs to be smarter than the adversary! Don’t give in to temptation but resist him in Jesus’ name and he will flee from you.