#soap # Matthew 10 ## Title: Take Your Brain With You ## Scripture: (Matthew 10:16) “I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (NET) ## Observation: In this passage, Jesus tells us two truths that can be powerful if we will listen. First, He tells us that people are not nice by nature. We are born into a fallen world due to the sin of Adam and Eve. Romans says all have turned away and there are none who are righteous. Jeremiah says the heart is deceitfully wicked. Therefore, we should live expecting people without God to act like people who are not living with Kingdom ethics. The second truth is be wise. I have known of many well-meaning Christians who say things like, “I’m going to move forward and the Lord will be with me.” That is true, but they use it as a way of saying they can wade into a metaphorical wolf pack and not get bitten simply because they are a Christian. Jesus says one of the gifts He gave us is the ability to be shrewd or wise. He expects us to use the good brain He gave us. Then, if bad things come, He will still be with us. So, the bottom line is to have a plan and expect difficulty. ## Application: What does it do for you to realize bad things will happen because we live in a bad world? That means it may have nothing to do with you. You’re not evil. You’re not “deserving.” Jesus came to save us from all this. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for revealing to us the rules of the road.