WISE AS SERPENTS AND HARMLESS AS DOVES

—-be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.–Matthew 10:16   We can all think of a lot of things in America that needs to be changed. Bringing about those changes, however, can be very difficult. Lately I’ve read several articles about what actions ought to be taken. You can’t believe what some folks are suggesting, preachers included. If certain changes don’t happen in the next few years, I fear for our nation. At this very moment some people are arming themselves to the teeth and preparing to do battle! The frustration of seeing so many things wrong is about to push some people over the brink. We best remember the old saying,”Two wrongs don’t make a right”.    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had to deal with this problem while working in the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s. In an effort to do things in the right way, Dr. King required every volunteer to sign a pledge. Here’s what his followers agreed to do:   1. Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus. 2. Remember always that the movement seeks justice and reconciliation–not victory. 3. Walk and talk in the way of love, for God is love. 4. Pray daily to be used by God so that all men might be free. 5. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy. 6. Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world. 7. Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue or heart.   I had no idea that such a pledge existed until a few years ago and I realize that not everyone was true to this pledge, but it seems very wise and helpful. We would all be better off if we lived according to these seven principles.This pledge is good advice for anyone.   Our nation has installed into office men and women who are determinated to destroy the American way of life and drastic changes need to be made. But, in our zeal for change we must not resort to ungodly means to bring it about. Remember, we are to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”