DOGS AND PIGS

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches the great principles of Kingdom Living. One such teaching is in Matthew 7:6. He says, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

It took me many years to understand the principle. Jesus is using dogs and pigs as representative groups of people who do not want the Gospel and are apt to accuse and ridicule it and those who make a presentation of it. To continue this is foolish at some point. We present and discern. Proverbs 26:11 mentions: “A dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” A clearer remark is made by Peter, an apostle, “And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)

We are to share the gospel, but, when it becomes apparent that the gospel is not welcome, we are to move on. We are responsible to share the good news; we are not responsible for people’s response to the good news. “If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.” (Matthew 10:14)

There’s an old saying: Don’t wrestle with pigs. You both get filthy and the pig likes it.

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” Jesus