Innocent vs. Ignorant

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." -- Matthew 10:16
Christ's call is clearly for innocence -- as in free of guilt and clearly separated from darkness, having a good reputation and unsullied by sin. But often the command for "serpenthood" is largely overlooked, even unconsciously negated with an interpretation of innocence as ignorance.
Christ's statement is not in any form a request for naivete -- but a challenge to prudent knowledge. Simply being ignorant of sin's names or description does not guarantee innocence. In fact, one can be fully unschooled in a sin, but with a heart that is already inclined that way, we can still fall prey. Or possibly be even more susceptible, having no warning or prepared defense. Hence: Wise as a serpent.
The goal for this wisdom is not to investigate sin or satisfy our curiosity of sin, but to know enough. No more. No less. And address the world, sin, and Satan in godly wisdom.

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