Three times Scripture tells us to be innocent.

Romans 16:19, be innocent in what is evil.  

Philippians 2:15, the world is crooked and perverse, but we are to be innocent.

Matthew 10:16. Jesus says He is sending us out as “sheep in the midst of wolves.” It’s a graphic image. Alarming. Even brutal.

Given this commission—the audacity of it—here’s Jesus’ counsel: “So be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Don’t participate in evil. Have nothing to do with evil.

The world is tough. In Jesus’ mind that is neither here nor there. He knowingly, deliberately, with intention, sends us into predatory places.

Be innocent. Why?

The “why” is in the Philippians verse: Midst the evil, crooked, villainous, and hungry wolves, you will “appear as lights in the world.”