If you know someone in your life right now who chose a life of sin, debauchery, selfishness and things that are contrary to what God wants for our lives, how do you help them? How do you teach them what is Holy?
I have always pondered about the verse:
“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 turn and tear you to pieces.” – Matthew 7:6
I really did not understand what it meant back then but it is much clearer to me now.
What Jesus may well be describing here is a realization that you cannot teach people who are neck-deep in the dirt of the mud, and enjoys eating crap to make them full.
They think that they are holy enough but in reality, their standard of holiness has become so low that it is compared to filth.
You cannot teach them what is holy by throwing it to them. They will not understand it and then they will turn and attack you.
“As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” – Proverbs 26:11
Jesus also uses the dog as a metaphor because people who are living in sin keep returning to do what they love most – even more than God – their well-kept, favorite sin/s.
The only way you can influence them is by living your life and setting an example to others – yes they may never see it, agree to it because you are all too familiar to them and they have built a certain level of contempt about you.
“Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.” – Mark 6:4
Even prophets of God were not honored in their own family and relatives – because of the contempt that stems from familiarity. Do not think you are better than the prophets. It is a losing fight to teach and vocalize your thoughts about God’s holiness to people living in sin.
The good news is, ultimately, it is God who will be the one to open their hearts when you keep praying for them.
Remember that the call to the Christian life is a call of faith, not of solving people.
And if that doesn’t work. Well, God will decide on judgment day – do not judge them.
And don’t ever throw your pearls at them.