Wisdom on SermonAudio

Receive good gifts from our perfect Father, who is perfecting us in Christ.

How do you respond when threatened? Psychologists identify four primary survival responses that are triggered by our nervous systems when we face danger: Fight, flight, freeze, fawn. Most of us can identify with one of those. Some are quick to fight back. Others freeze in panic. Others strive to avoid conflict at all costs. Finally, others try to appease the instigator. While recognizing the natural tendencies of his disciples, Jesus gives different counsel: "Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matt. 10:16). How should we understand this metaphor in its context and how can it help believers today who still live as "sheep in the midst of wolves"?