Dove
Dove Dove Because the disciples of Christ are hated and persecuted and their ruin is sought, they need the serpent’s wisdom. The word serpent or snake is used symbolically of a deadly, subtle, malicious enemy. (See Luke 10:19. ) Yet Christ’s followers are to be as harmless as doves—to neither hurt anyone, nor bear anyone ill will. In the political world today, a dove is a person who advocates peace, conciliation, or negotiation in preference to confrontation or armed conflict. Freeman, James M., and Harold J. Chadwick. Manners & Customs of the Bible. North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1998. Print.