Trusting God is obviously the most important thing. At the same time, God has also equipped you as a human being with gifts, and you must use them. So do no trust blindly. Christ mentions two human characteristics that you should be using: your intellect and sincerity. As an example of intellect, Christ points to serpents. In Genesis 3:1–24 we already read that the serpent was the craftiest animal. Satan knew this and thus chose the serpent as his instrument. It is for this reason that snakes have a bad name among us. This should not go so far as to make us forget the shrewdness of a snake.

For sincerity, Christ uses the image of a dove. The Spirit used the form of a dove when he descended on Christ (Matthew 3:16). This animal can be the vehicle of God as he descends in his highest holiness. With God there is no double bottom line, no hidden agenda. In that sincerity, the disciples will fearlessly proclaim the gospel. First, they will carefully consider and ponder how best to bring the gospel. But then it will ring clear, and no one will have to guess at the intent of the God being preached. It is a straightforward message and the heralds do not beat around the bush about anything.