When Jesus sent out His disciples, He gave them this instruction: “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). It’s a beautiful pairing of intentionality and character.

Being wise as serpents means being thoughtful, discerning, and strategic about how we engage with the people around us. It reminds us that sharing the gospel isn’t just about what we say but also about when, how, and with whom we share it. It’s about listening well, understanding the moment, and looking for opportunities where real conversations can happen.

At the same time, being innocent as doves calls us to be gentle, blameless, and pure in heart. There’s a warmth and approachability to this kind of innocence—a posture of openness, kindness, and sincerity that puts people at ease. I believe Jesus is painting a picture of relational beauty—a way of interacting that draws people in rather than pushes them away.

This is our call as we step into conversations with others:

Be strategic—pay attention, be intentional, and make the most of every opportunity to love and connect.

Exude warmth, genuineness, and good character—let people sense that you are truly for them, not trying to win an argument but inviting them into something good.

Ultimately, this posture of warmth and invitation reflects the heart of Jesus Himself. Philippians 2 tells us that Jesus didn’t wait for us to come to Him—He came down to us. “He emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). Jesus crossed every barrier, entering our world with humility, compassion, and a mission to seek and save the lost. In that sense, He is the first missionary—the one who left the glory of heaven to meet us where we are.

When we choose to step toward others with that same humility and intentionality, we reflect His character. We embody the gospel not just in what we say, but in how we show up: present, kind, and full of grace.

Practical Ways to Be Warm and Inviting:

Offer a gracious smile. It signals safety, approachability, and kindness—people relax when they feel welcomed.

Make eye contact. It communicates respect, attentiveness, and genuine interest in what they’re saying.

Let them talk more than you do. Ask thoughtful questions and give them space to share. People feel valued when they’re heard.

Learn—and naturally use—their name. Names are powerful. They communicate, “You matter enough for me to remember you.”

Use open body language. Uncrossed arms, a slight lean-in, nodding as they speak—all non-verbal ways of saying, “I’m with you.”

Affirm or encourage when you genuinely can. Avoid flattery, but look for moments to say things like, “That’s really interesting” or “I admire the way you’re handling that.”

Follow up. If the opportunity presents itself, bring up something they shared last time. This shows you were listening—and that you care.

There are two thoughts that I try to keep in mind to help me with my own attitude when meeting new people:

First, the God of the universe loves me so much that I don’t need to worry about what this person thinks of me.

Second, the God of the universe loves this person so much that I need to give great care to how I think about them. I need to think about them with respect, compassion, and genuine concern.

May God give you the grace to make people feel like a million bucks this week—because they truly are important and valuable to God!