Pearls to Pigs

Psalm 119:133

Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Psalm 119:133

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 7:6

"Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you."

Lord, here's yet another verse that has always mystified me. It seems to be closely connected with the verses before about judging others. It sounds like giving our "wisdom" to someone else in a judgmental way is akin to throwing our pearls to pigs. Could Jesus have been expressing a bit of sarcasm here?

A double meaning might be that once we have removed the log from our own eye and have clear spiritual sight, we shouldn't waste our efforts trying to share the gospel with people who are not open to hearing it. They will only attack you with arguments and tear down everything you say.

We need to instead be alert and watching for opportunities to share with those who are eager and ready to hear. We need to pray that God will give us those opportunities. We need to live in such a way that unbelievers can tell that we know Jesus so they will know who to come to with their questions.

Acts 4:13 NIV

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.