6 “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.”
Proverbs is filled with how a fool (dogs and pigs) meets with the advice of wisdom - shedding more light on our Lord’s Words given in our verses for today. A few are as follows:
15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. Prov 12:15 (NIV)
10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. Prov 17:10 (NIV)
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. Prov 17:12 (NIV)
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. Prov 18:2 (NIV)
I am reminded of Jesus’ Words regarding the hypocritical Pharisee’s reaction to His teaching:
12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" 13 He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Matt 15:12-14 (NIV)
Unfortunately, not everyone is fit to be reproved. Those who walk in the way of sinners and sit in the seat of scorners despise instruction and will defy it. Who can help those who hate reproof – those who continually sin against the Remedy? Who shall heal and help those who staunchly refuse to be healed and helped? Jesus states we are to be zealous for God’s Truth yet that zeal must be guided by discretion. We are not to go about giving precious instructions and counsel to hardened scorners who seek with pleasure to both trample our words and tear us to pieces. Good counsel and reproof are sacred things and God’s ordinances are as pearls. Scripture tells us a fool avoids wisdom and understanding – always, sadly, to his own harm. The fool is his own worst enemy.
3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. Prov 20:3 (NIV)
9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. Prov 23:9 (NIV)
Interestingly as well, as believers our lives are to manifest a correction of the culture rather than to be a reflection of it. We earn the right to be heard by what we do. When our spheres see a life that talks like Christ yet walks no differently than they do there will be no kingdom impact, no power of the Spirit to change a heart and a life. When our hearts are changed, our lives are to be changed. If we are not changed by the power of the Spirit, choosing rather to blend with the world, what kind of pathetic impact is that? Believers are to be different from the ways of the world yet unfortunately that is not often the case. Sadly, therefore, God’s Word often falls on deaf ears and is met with argumentative mindsets even on hearts that are perhaps readied or tendered to hear Truth. We cause much harm to ourselves and others when we do not live like Christians. Remember, wisdom is always proved right by what she does. If we truly believe something our lives will reflect it.
"There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian, and some people will never read the first four." Gypsy Smith
“The good news of the gospel is not that God will provide a way to make life easier. The good news of the gospel, for this life, is that He will make our lives better. We will be empowered to draw close to God and to love others well and to do both for one central purpose, to glorify God, to make Him look good to any who watch us live.” Larry Crabb