Shrewd but Innocent

Jesus continued His instructions to His apostles: "Understand that I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. But beware of people; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

"Sibling will betray sibling to death, and a father will betray his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved."

"When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

Jesus wanted them to understand that they could not avoid the persecution He had received and would receive. He said, "A disciple is not above their teacher, nor is a servant above their master. It is enough for a disciple to be like their teacher and a servant like their master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more will the members of his household!"

"So, do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight. What is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops."

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So, do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before people, I will also confess them before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny them before My Father in heaven."

See Matthew 10:16‭-‬33

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