“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.” (Matthew 7:6)
In Jewish culture, to call someone a dog or a pig was harsh language. Usually, it was reserved for enemies of Israel or those who worshipped pagan gods. Jesus seems to be saying that we should only go so far in offering God’s truth to those stuck in sin.
The most valuable things we have to offer to anyone – Christian or not – is the message of the gospel, the good news that God will forgive sin, that he loves us, and that we can be redeemed and/or restored to fellowship with him.
Don’t waste your time, Jesus says, trying to help pigs understand the value of pearls. Don’t squander your hours explaining the grace and glory of God to someone who refuses to care, to someone who is blind to the truth. Let them go.
Think: Is it hard to let people go when they openly reject the message of Jesus? Is it freeing to you to realize that you are not responsible for how people respond to God’s offer of grace and forgiveness?
Pray: Ask God to help you not too “throw your pearls to pigs” by trying too hard to convince those who reject him. Then ask him to help you to be available to talk to anyone who is interested about the enormously valuable message of the cross.
Do: Ask a Christian leader in your life if he or she has ever had to make a choice to stop “chasing” someone who clearly had no interest in God’s offer of forgiveness through faith in Jesus.