In approaching business or personal problems, how do we quench those quick conclusions ignited, perhaps, by apparent insults to our well-intended actions? The answer appears in Jesus' words, "Be ye ... wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." ^{Matt. 10:16;}

In the country where Jesus lived and worked, the serpent and the dove were familiar creatures. The serpent was often used in the Bible as an example of adroitness and perceptive wisdom. The dove was frequently the picture of innocence and harmlessness. Therefore Jesus' hearers understood that the simile was used to show the necessity for perfect balance of these qualities in human thought.

Through the study and application of Christian Science we can learn that the virtues of harmlessness and wisdom are as applicable today as they were in the time of Jesus. For instance, since speech is the usual method of interchange of ideas among men, it should be used wisely, for words cannot be retracted after once having been loosed.

Tired humanity is often refreshed and made hopeful by the thoughtful, loving word. The tender interchange of kindness and unselfishness through word and deed must occur if the kingdom of heaven is to come on earth. This work begins with the spiritual understanding of God and His creation. God, divine Mind and Love, is the only cause or creator, and man is His spiritual and perfect expression. Because this is so, wisdom and love are natural to man.

On the human level, these qualities are expressed in alert and gentle thought, word, and act. In Jesus' dealings with his fellowmen he used the alertness and acuteness of the serpent, but never its sting. However, his pure thought was quick to recognize the selfishness and materiality of many of his hearers. It was difficult for them to understand his demand for faith in a God they could not see. Only the willingness to purify thought could produce in them the needed awakening. Jesus was wise in giving them the necessary rebuke, but he always separated the evil from the person.

In this age, Mrs. Eddy felt the same resistance to Truth. She knew that the human consciousness must be stirred and purified before healing can take place. Her rebuke of error was instant and strong, but her love for the sufferer left the path of healing open for the willing heart. She says, "If the Christian Scientist recognize the mingled sternness and gentleness which permeate justice and Love, he will not scorn the timely reproof, but will so absorb it that this warning will be within him a spring, welling up into unceasing spiritual rise and progress." ^{Retrospection and Introspection, p. 80;}

Mere sharpness and acuteness of the humanly wise word or act, if not tempered with kindness and innocent judgment, could result in a pointed thrust inevitably injuring instead of blessing. Human wisdom is not infallible and is often arrogant. Divine wisdom is manifested as the presence of gentle divinity in human consciousness. The innocence of the dove represents the tenderness of Love, the quietness of Soul, the understanding of Mind.

To understand the reason for the admonition, given by Jesus, linking the seemingly divergent qualities of wisdom and harmlessness, let us suppose a human nature with great shrewdness and acumen but without a touch of gentleness and love. Such a nature could be crass, cold, merciless. Let us also consider a human nature with the quality of harmlessness, accompanied by quietness and inoffensiveness, but undirected by wisdom. Such a nature could be unprotected and weak. A quick, brisk retort may be humanly brilliant; but without the compassion of divine Love, it is sure to be blinding to the one seeking the path of Truth. What pure and holy balance there is in the heart which understands the human need and meets it with divine gentleness and wisdom!

Jesus, the example for us all, showed perception and infinite patience even when his enemies tried repeatedly to trick him. He realized the impersonal nature of evil and wisely saw it as a powerless imposition. He met his opponents with firmness but also with a tenderness that they could not combat; with a sweetness that left them uncondemned, therefore unharmed.

The Pharisee who invited Jesus to eat with him learned from his distinguished guest that the woman who entered to wash his guest's feet with her tears was performing a social grace which the Pharisee himself as host had neglected to provide and that she did this from a deep and penitent love for this good and holy man, Jesus. The tenderness through which Jesus saw both host and stranger healed the woman of sin and showed his friendly host the need for the balance of wisdom and harmlessness in the human heart.

Wisdom, which is ever present in God's likeness, man, is manifested humanly in a deep-seated recognition of what is true and pertinent, wise and good. This wisdom is keen but not harsh or hurtful. To be wise in the Christly way is to know that man is the expression of God, good, and then to allow this understanding to govern human affairs.

Let us balance acuteness with the warmth that shapes each act with Christly love. Let us combine Christly tenderness with perceptive wisdom in dealing with our neighbors and also with our enemies.

The entire approach in Christian Science is to show the questioner the way to the Christ, not to push and thus upset him. Christian Science includes the certainty of Truth and the Christly, loving method of instruction. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Let us serve instead of rule, knock instead of push at the door of human hearts, and allow to each and every one the same rights and privileges that we claim for ourselves." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 303.}