The Lord Rebuke Thee

‘Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee". But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.' 

(Jude v.8-10 KJV)

I'm sure that Michael the archangel was on the right side of this dispute. I'm sure he knew that. His response was in accord with the Lord: he brought no railing (condemning) accusation. The Lord's rebuke was enough to end the devil's assault and kept Michael from bringing a condemning accusation. The Lord rebukes the devil's contention with what is right, and our desire to accuse in return.

'Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in the same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.' (Matthew 10:17-20 KJV)

It starts, continues, is completed with the Lord's rebuke of thee.

The Answer of a Good Conscience toward God

‘But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience TOWARD God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.' (1 Peter 3:15-22 KJV)

Toward, as a preposition: in the direction of, so as to approach; as an adjective: going on, in progress. If you have a good conscience toward God, you deliberately intend to approach, in progress. Baptism does also now save us, not just by the water washing away the filth of the flesh, but as we recognize the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, and answer in good conscience.

Be Ye Therefore Wise as Serpents

‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.' (Matthew 10:16 KJV)

What benefit would result from Jesus teaching his disciples this? Why would we want to be 'wise as serpents'? I don't see where the serpent provided anything beneficial to the kingdom of heaven: rather deceit and destruction. The serpent was aware of the weaknesses of man: that he would/could desire things apart from God's will/way. If we understand how/that we are motivated by those desires, we will become 'wise as serpents'. The serpent's wisdom upon wolves comes only to destroy. Doves, on the other hand, made aware with that wisdom, respond harmlessly.

'But he answered and said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." '(Matthew 4:4 KJV)

'Jesus said unto him, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." '

(Matthew 4:7 KJV)

'Then saith Jesus unto him, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." '

(Matthew 4:10,11 KJV)

A harmless, not harmful response.