pearls to pigs and them dogs

Matthew 7:6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

There is some interesting word usage going on here and so had the opportunity to pick them apart with a friend of mine.

The first to consider are the words “do not”, which implies a command, not a suggestion. Do not, kindred to the very well known thou shalt not as used in the 10 commandments, very serious word choices.

What is holy? Strong’s identifies holy as 40 h’agios – properly, different (unlike), other, otherness, holy; for the believer, likeness of nature with the Lord because different from the world.  It implies something “set apart” and therefore “different (distinguished/distinct) because special to the Lord.

Mark 6:20…Herod was afraid of John (the Baptist), knowing that he was a righteous and holy man.

2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

We know that through Christ we are separated, set apart from the world, used by the Lord to be an influence to the lost and dying. This is why we separate ourselves from worldly things, desires and influences to be counted as holy and righteous.

Do not give what is holy to dogs. Strong’s 2965 k’yon explains dogs as scavenging canine, a spiritual predator who feeds off others.  Huh? A spiritual predator who feeds off others. A true “selah” moment. A loose dog was disdained in ancient times – viewed as “mooch pooch” that ran about as a scavenger.

“Mooch Pooch” – fitting, I like it. We’re coming back here.

Philippians 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh

The dogs are evil workers, who put their confidence in their flesh, in whatever they have conceived in their own fleshy minds to be true. They go about from place to place taking what does not belong to them, they are beggars and liars using their fleshy lies to seduce money and fame from the untrained, the unsuspecting, those who are bent by emotion rather than by fact.

2 Corinthians 11:12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

The plan is to waylay the works of satan by cutting off those – the mooch pooches – who seek fame and admiration from their followers, those they have deceived. This has been an ongoing process as Paul is pointing out that what he does, he will continue to do. Sound familiar to anyone here?

There is more here in this scripture that needs to be looked at. Paul is going after false apostles, those who have disguised themselves as apostles of Christ.  In Matthew 24:5, Christ warns His disciples – “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.” The “mooch pooches” use the name of the Lord all over their wares, just as liberally as a southern person uses sugar for their iced tea. Yet, there is no sweetness to be had, it is all rancid, putrid, crawling with flies. They have come in His name, yet know nothing of Him.

Paul continues that these false apostles are of satan in that he also disguises himself as light. I am reminded the words of Jesus in Matthew 8:44 “”You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  There is a distinct connection between satan and his followers – the truth is not in them – and we are seeing how to make that connection and how to handle these men and women once they are identified.

So now that we can see more clearly, Matthew 7:6 tells us do not give what is set apart for God to those who have no regard for Him. Some will be disguised as apostles of Christ, those who cling to no end to their lying doctrines of demons. Others will simply be those who will not hear the truth of the gospel. We will know them because they will be the ones without ears to hear.

To continue, do not throw your pearls before swine. It is of no surprise to anyone here that pearls are of great value. I prefer gemstones, especially the blue ones, but many ladies like the pearls, and that’s ok.  The Lord has regard for them as we see in Matthew 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. This is what we do, as we lay down our lives, giving over our will and maybe all that we have – our homes and families – for Christ, the pearl of great value.

This is the fun part and I do love my pork, but the bible, especially the old testament and those who follow the strict dietary laws of the middle east detest it. And here we have it used symbolically for what it used to be, that forbidden, cloven-hooved, dirty animal – the swine.  It is common knowledge that pigs can become quite viscous in their pens when given food. The scripture is telling us not to throw – toss, make sudden motion – our belief, our pearls to those are considered like swine, those who upon hearing the truth have no regard for it, and instead trample our words, and turn to tear us apart. Sometimes this is verbal, having spiritual affect, and for others it is to literally take their lives.I have to point out, that in many of the verbal attacks against me I have noticed an increase in the viciousness, murderous intent of their words. Maybe you have too.

Matthew 7:6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

I believe the gospel is for every person ever born on this earth and that Jesus died for all of us, and that it is the will of God that all would come to Him in repentance as sinners. I believe that through Christ we are given forgiveness and a relationship with the Father God, to one day live forever in His kingdom. I also believe the blessings given to us in this life are wonderful, yet nothing to be compared with what awaits us in “that day”. I believe we are called to spread the gospel as the Lord leads and not to hold back simply because of threats made against us, whether they be implied, verbal or physical.

But, here the bible is giving is clear distinctive instruction, even commands on how to handle people who are not willing to hear or even consider the truth set before them. It is giving us information to identify them and how to handle them and their false teaching. Knowing who to approach and how comes with discernment and guidance only the Holy Spirit can provide.

All of this has been for one purpose, to decide when enough is enough in dealing with people overcome with false doctrine. I’ve read, and certainly been a part of the endless debate and commenting, the urging that seems to go on and on without result – that one person who just will not see no matter the scripture set before them to prove otherwise.  The answer is truly simple –

Titus 3:10-11 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self condemned.

2 John 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.