11 Nov 2014
Matthew 7:6
Matthew 7:6: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
This is an interesting passage. To put it another way: there are some things that are just not appropriate for some people. Pigs cannot appreciate pearls; you can offer them to them but they’ll just trample the valuable jewels into the mud.
There are numerous truths that are very precious to Christians, but which are completely meaningless to the lost. Now, there are some things – like the Cross – that should be preached regardless, but there are other, meatier things that need to be reserved for the right audience. There were times when Paul wanted to preach deep things but couldn’t because the audience wasn’t mature enough to receive it. That’s the sort of thing this passage is talking about. Know your audience, and be careful. This doesn’t mean that you back down or lay aside the truth; it means that you have to use your head and think about what you’re doing. If you give a steak to an infant you’re not going to be doing the infant any good – nor will a pig know what to do with pearls.