"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces”.
Jesus isn’t talking about family pets here. The dog and the pig were unclean animals from a religious perspective, so when Jesus said not to give sacred things to dogs and not give pearls to swine, He may have been referring to meat used in sacrifice unto the Lord was never to be given to scavenger dogs. Don’t take what is worthy as a pearl and give it to unclean pigs. That is foolish. They don't deserve it and would not know what to do with it. When they have it, it will only be our loss and you will be the fool.
Sin can be fun, stimulating. Imagination is heightened. We like sin, but we don't like the consequences. Behind temptation is the tempter. Behind the lie is the liar. Satan wants to draw us from God and, when you give into temptation, Satan is there to pounce on you and tear you to bits.
How does the world respond when preachers or congressmen are caught in sexual adultery? Wouldn't you think Playboy and Penthouse would come to their defense? Wouldn’t you think the producers of the multitude of TV shows and movies would support that behavior, since that is the core of the entertainment they promote? Talk hosts laugh and make mockery of preachers and leaders. They take the gospel and trample it into the dirt, mock, and scorn the religious community. How do you stay on guard keeping your soul in God?
Spiritual sensitivity needs to be developed by growing in trust and fellowship with Christ to help us resist temptation lest we fall further losing our discernment of our own weaknesses and shortcomings. With love we speak to a brother or sister, so that we might prevent them from continuing in sin.
It does no good to talk to some people. Others will take you and chew you up. The disciples were told by Jesus to go into town two by two and preach the gospel. Where they were not received, they were to go outside of that town and wipe the dust off their feet as a sign of judgment upon them. Some people you cannot talk to. They are judgmental vengeful, and the Spirit of God cannot work in their lives until they are ready, open, and wanting Him to work. Some people do not have spiritual desires. They will twist what you say, misunderstand your motive, turn things around so that only evil results. They are like dogs and pigs.
Prov. 9:8 says "Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man and he will love you. " I Corinthians 5:11 "But now I am writing unto you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother, but is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolator, or a slander, or a drunkard, or a swindler, with such a man do not even eat."
Our purpose is not to please people, but only please God. We must be careful to judge only by Biblical principles. All else are personal matters before the Lord, so work together without criticizing. We need to examine ourselves with prayer and then show love to others.
Application: As you seek to help others grow in their love for the Lord and to forsake sinful ways, some will accept that and others will not. In all you do in word or deed, do unto the Lord.
Prayer: Father, give me a Spirit of discernment as I share Your truths with those I meet.
