Serpent Wisdom, Dove Power
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Jesus instructed, “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” —Matthew 10:16
Faith-based organizer Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra reflects on Jesus’ teaching in Scripture about wielding power:
In Matthew 10:16, Jesus calls his disciples to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Serpent power is evident and measurable—it is the power of force, wealth, social influence and numbers. There is nothing wrong with the use of serpent power with integrity…. However, if all we use is serpent power, we have lost our unique call and contribution—the capacity to embody the power of the dove….
When we take dove power seriously, we take seriously the best in people, the reality of the image of God in each of us and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. We know that power is manifested every day in our communities in a multitude of ways. Besides the serpent powers of position, physical force, money and numbers, we believe in the power of prayer. We believe in the power of truth and the power of love. We believe that there are contexts and moments in which moral authority is real, tangible and effective.
Salvatierra tells a story revealing Bishop Desmond Tutu’s “dovelike” power:
Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa was threatened by the government to stop speaking out against apartheid. On one Easter morning soldiers were sent to his church. They lined the walls of the sanctuary holding loaded rifles. The congregation was frightened that Bishop Tutu would speak against apartheid and that the soldiers would start shooting. They were also frightened that he would not speak—for then the regime would have effectively won.
Bishop Tutu began bouncing on his heels and laughing, laughing uproariously, laughing like a child. The laughter was contagious. Soon, everyone was laughing, even some of the soldiers…. Bishop Tutu went on to preach against apartheid and he was not shot.
Bishop Tutu did not have the power of force…. He did not have the power of wealth…. He did not have the power of numbers…. In this instance Bishop Tutu did not have serpent power; his was the power of the dove, residing in his faith, hope and love. Tutu’s faith gave him the capacity for joy in all circumstances. His faith in the coming kingdom of God brought the experience of the future into the present, making it real for his audience. He did not fear for the future; he awaited it expectantly and called his listeners into it. This lack of fear allowed him to look past the guns, see the boys holding the guns, and love them. His love, faith and hope had real-world power….
The apparent barriers to action rarely stand up to dove power. When people are reminded of the strength of their faith, their fear subsides. And when they are invited to lean into their faith, they are emboldened by God’s provision.
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Sarah Young
I am always available to you. Once you have trusted Me as your Savior, I never distance Myself from you. Sometimes you may feel distant from Me. Recognize that as feeling; do not confuse it with reality. The Bible is full of My Promises to be with you always. As I assured Jacob, when he was journeying away from home into unknown places, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. My last recorded promise to My followers was: Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Let these assurances of My continual Presence fill you with Joy and Peace. No matter what you may lose in this life, you can never lose your relationship with Me.
RELATED BIBLE SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 54:10 (NLT)
10 For the mountains may move
and the hills disappear,
but even then my faithful love for you will remain.
My covenant of blessing will never be broken,”
says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
Additional insight regarding Isaiah 54:10: God made a covenant with Noah in Genesis 9:8-17 that has never been broken.
Genesis 28:15 (NLT)
15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”
Additional insight regarding Genesis 28:10-15: God’s covenant promise to Abraham and Isaac was offered to Jacob as well. But it was not enough to be Abraham’s grandson; Jacob has to establish his own personal relationship with God. God has no grandchildren; each person must have a personal relationship with him. It is not enough to hear wonderful stories about Christians in your family. You need to become part of the story yourself (see Galatians 3:6-7 – “6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.).
Matthew 28:20 (NLT)
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Additional insight regarding Matthew 28:20: How is Jesus “with” us? Jesus was with the disciples physically until he ascended into Heaven and then spiritually through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). The Holy Spirit would be Jesus’ presence that would never leave them (John 14:26 – “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”). Jesus continues to be with us today through his Spirit.
