In Genesis The serpant is clearly identified as the bad guy:
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”" Gen. 3: 1-3
She knew God said not to eat the fruit. The serpent's question was designed to bring about doubt and confusion. The serpant was clearly the smarter one in the interchange. His goal was achieved with the fall. "Then the LORD God said to the woman, ''What is this you have done?' The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'" Gen. 3:13 You probably heard the rest. Adam also ate the fruit. Sin was introduced to the world and the two were ejected from eden.
The serpant, of course, was/ is the devil. Jesus gave his diciples instruction about dealing with those who would persecute them. He told them to be smart like the serpant without compromising their faith. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16
Why is this important to a parent? Think back to what the serpant said to Eve in the garden. He tried to sow confusion, falsely justify, and mislead.
The bottom line is sometimes everything is great with those who serve your child. You still you need to watch those who say they want to help your child:
The school administrator may mislead you, not based on his knowledge of right and wrong, but on the situational ethics of the environment in which he works and suvives.
The pediatrican that suspects problems with vaccinations or other treatment fears losing his job, reputation, and licence.
The insurance rep is pressured to parrot the line of her corporate masters.
It is very common for a parent to have interactions with good hearted teachers who say: "Officailly I can't comment but I will give you the true story off the record."
Jesus said to be shrewd like a snake. At that time he was warning about the powerful of that time who would hurt the diciples. In our context this means that you should understand the ways of those who will do evil or wrong against your family. Don't trust a functionary who may follows the unethical orders of powerful persons you may never meet. When you deal with the representative of the medical community, school system, or corporation your not dealing with an individual who always makes individual ethical choices. Sometimes your dealing with the distant powerful of our time who put money, power, and status ahead of the best interest of your child.
So in short:
Be shrewd like a snake, be as innocent as a dove, and watch out for wolves.
Peace and Love,
Andrew
