“...be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”
“the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.”
When you think of what Jesus meant when He made the above statements, don’t get too hung up on the animal types.
After all, who wants to be a snake–they feel slimy and it feels like they are always sneaking up on you.
Doves, on the other hand, seem pure, gentle, and beautiful; all the things we really want to be. After all, the Holy Spirit is represented as a dove. What could be better than that!
Yet, Jesus clearly said, take on a snake-like characteristic: be shrewd.
What does shrewd mean? It means to be wise, prudent and sensible. Frankly, it means to be aware of what is in your best interest so you don’t get taken advantage of.
In Chinese astrology, the year 2025 is identified as the Year of the Serpent. I will explain what that means.
It’s okay if you don’t have any idea of astrology—what is more important here is understanding the body of knowledge and wisdom it communicates and how you can leverage that to your advantage—don’t be quick to rubbish what you don’t understand.
Stay with me for a moment.
When you add the numbers of the year altogether [2+0+2+5], the sum is 9. This number has the similitude of the serpent—when observed from an opposite end, it gives off a second impression—a 6.
This is the shrewdness of the serpent—the sustained ability to be many things to different people.
“To the Jews, I became like a Jew... To those under the law, I became like one under the law... To those not having the law, I became like one not having the law...”
Sounds familiar?
All of these Paul did with a single objective—that he may WIN the people to the camp he belonged—where his interest was vested.
You want to win in 2025?
Learn to be shrewd.
** The art of shrewdness almost insulates you from potentially envious acquaintances, friends and foes.
This is what Robert Greene describes as the mirror effect—reflecting the exact nature of the people in your environment per time.
By this, people who could have harmed you on grounds of envy begin to recognize you as one of them and loses their basis for unwarranted attacks.
If you give people the impression that you’re different from them or better off than them, their ego gets bruised, and they will develop hatred for you.
Be shrewd as serpents.
** The shrewdness of the serpent is what guarantees its longevity.
The serpent is so shrewd it can thrive in an environment for years without ever being noticed. Serpents thrive in secrecy—camouflaging in the secret place to thrive in its habitat.
Obscurity—the period of being unrecognized is not a curse. It’s an opportunity for improvement, skill stacking, and building for an opportune time.
The world is not a fair place—be shrewd as the serpent.
I’m rooting for you.
Be shrewd.