The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Matthew 7:6 "dogs/pigs"

Matthew 7:6
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. NKJV

What exactly does this verse mean? I've done a little looking on Google. I'm not exactly satisfied with the results I've found. The reason I'm asking is because I know someone who was brought up in a Christian family, an old friend, who doesn't exactly believe in God the way one should. In essence she told me that the Bible was just nonsense. And that she, "doesn't just rely on faith alone." I think that she has no idea what she's talking about, and that the real reason is that she feels this way is because she hasn't delved into it and probably hasn't practiced true faith. Does that constitute her being a pig and or dog? And does this mean that I am not allowed to reach out to her?

Believers should not continue to preach to people who have rejected the gospel with scorn and contempt (see Matthew 10:14, Acts 13:44 and following, 18:5-6 and 28:17-28). That certainly doesn't mean that God cannot or will not eventually reach these people, only that we cannot let ourselves get so preoccupied with working to convert one belligerent scoffer that we neglect those who the Spirit has given "ears to hear."

-R

Hi allthisstuff

I think Robin has done a nice job of explaining the meaning and application of the text you asked about in a brief but concise way. So, I'm not going to address that part of your post but rather focus upon the portion quoted above.

Simply "delving into it", i.e., the inspiration and authority of the Bible isn't going to do much when it seems very likely that she is spiritually dead. There are many very well educated individuals in this world, some even occupying chairs in liberal theological seminaries and the office of elder/pastor who reject the Bible as "God breathed" and thus infallible and inerrant, or put simply, the very words of God Himself put into writing. (cf. Prov 14:6; Rom 8:7,8; 1Cor 2:13,14; 2Cor 4:4-6)

And lastly, how can such an individual who rejects the very Word of God written practice "true faith", when she doesn't even have the ability to believe in and of herself?

allthisstuff

Robin & Pilgrim have done an excellent job at answering your questions, but I thought I would focus on one aspect.

"In essence she told me that the Bible was just nonsense."

Did she try to give proof that the Bible was just nonsense?
If so, what did she say?

I have run into people that reject anything where they need to believe that an actual miracle occurred; or anything that doesn't fit into their understanding of how things ought to be.
In other words, although they probably would not admit this, they are sovereign (or should be) and God (if they believe in Him) lives to fulfill their wishes. The fact that He isn't doing this means God either doesn't exist, or He doesn't matter.
Of course this is just one attitude that I have run into.

Tom

This friend of mine I used to know very well. I knew how she was. She's had a rocky life, and, to my knowledge, she doubts the existence of God because of what has happened to her. The common "If God is real then why this?" We attended a Christian middle school together, but she wasn't treated very well. So I think that's one of the main reason's why she is so hard. But at the same time I think she believes God exists. (take note of text message below) We used to go to church together, every now and then, but both her and I were pretty much the same I think. We just went to church with her parents and couldn't wait to leave to eat some food. It wasn't until some months ago that I took Christianity very seriously. Anyway I think she hasn't really understood the Bible. And, to my knowledge, she doesn't read it either. It wasn't until I was shaken in my life that I started reading the Bible and developed a constant prayer life. My thought is this, if she develops a prayer life and actually delves into the Bible herself can't she be the same? Or perhaps she needs her life to be shaken by God, in which case I ask for your prayers. To be honest, she's my ex girlfriend, not saying she's not my friend. We have been on rough terms, and I thought that her sending me a text was God motioning me to move. Although we do not see each other, I still somewhat consider her my friend because I care for her and would love for her to go to heaven. I was going to send her a very personal email with hopes of it sending her straight to Jesus. But if Matthew 7:6 applies in this particular case, I don't think I can plunder for God against God.

Her
I read a book that truly brought me closer to God than the bible ever did

Me
Which?

Her
Les miserables

Me
There's plenty of books that can do that.. Like books pastors write and touching secular books that point out how life is.. But look at the Bible as like a letter, especially when Jesus spoke, for your to read. And something happens when you dump effort into reading it.

Her
Not really . Most of what they say are [nonsense] to me. I don't rely on faith alone

I really hope it does not apply, and I include this so that you will have the best ability to discern. Hopefully later I can delete this thread if possible.

Unfortunately, and the truth of the matter is... Christianity isn't an observance of some rite, trying to live a moral life, helping the poor, or any other form of asceticism. It isn't something merely external but rather it begins when the Holy Spirit recreates one's nature, i.e., regenerated, aka: born again, born anew, born from above. Yes, typically and most always, God uses means through which the Spirit does this supernatural, silent and unnoticed work in a sinner. Again, typically and most always the Spirit works in conjunction with the Word (Bible); preached, taught or read. (cf. Rom 1:16; 10:12-17; 1Thess 2:13; 2Thess 2:13-14; Jam 1:18-21; 1Pet 1:23-25)

Until God looks upon her in mercy, sending the Holy Spirit according to His sovereign will to do that sovereign and mighty work of creating a new nature within her, nothing she does will have any positive affect whatsoever. All the reading, listening to sermons, praying, etc., can never accomplish that which is so desperately needed. However, she should avail herself of these means, constantly praying that God would have mercy upon her and show her what a great sinner she is; a sinner who is under God's wrath and condemnation, an enemy of God who is helpless to change her spiritually dead condition. May God be merciful to her and grant her repentance and true faith in Christ unto life eternal.

These articles may help you to understand:

- What is a Biblical Christian?
- Regeneration or New Birth

Jesus Christ is the pearl of great price. Until one has sold all in order to have Him on His terms, they are no Christian. No book can bring us closer to God than that which points us to Christ and shows us the way of communion with God through Him and the salvation He procured for sinners through His death on the cross. Until this lady sells all that she has in order to gain Christ, she will trample Him under foot as she strives to commune with God through some other means which ultimately results in no saving communion at all. Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, but by Him.

"Selling all" is not the act of an unregenerate person. She can't "make herself a Christian" by any means at all.

But when God gives her new birth, she won't be able to help herself - it will be her nature to "sell all" to gain Christ.

That's why we Reformed folk pray for the lost! We know that all of our own efforts are fruitless unless the Lord grants the new birth, enabling those we share the gospel with to hear it and respond with faith.

-R

What comes to mind is Titus 3:9-11 "avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."

In addition to what has been stated above,
Mark 6:11 “And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent”;

Luke 10:10-12 “But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’  I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”;

Acts 13:51 “51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.”; Matthew 10:14; Luke 9:5

Following that I told her I'd send her an email that might convince her to believe, but I decided to postpone and never actually did due to her one text "Not really . Most of what they say are [nonsense] to me. I don't rely on faith alone".

On September 16 she sent me a text that had nothing to do with the same topic. I tried to apologize for not sending her the email while diverting the fact that I hadn't sent it to her because of my understanding of Matthew 7:6. She then asked me twice to send it and the conversation ended with

Me
Can i ask you a question then?

Her
Go for it

Me
Why did you call what "they"are saying, people from the bible, nonsense?

Her
Meh I dont know

Then on September 18 she calls me asking for it again. I can't quote the conversation because I don't really remember it in detail. I basically told her no. She got upset and that was that.

So then I text her

Me
I'm sorry. <anonymous> don't let your heart harden

Her
Whatever life sucks

Me
Why what's wrong?

Her
Life just never gets better

I'm worried that either her heart was changed and I rejected the opportunity to do something, or that it remains how it was and that I might be taking this the wrong way. I know nothing I do or say will save her. I know that it will be the Lord Himself that does if ever. But I also know that people are often used as instruments to aid in the process. It seems to me that she wants to know and believe. If it weren't for that one little ugly text message I wouldn't even be fretting over this.. Anyway, her desire and her little blasphemy have me split. I've prayed that either one of you will either help me discern the full scenario, or that God Himself will answer through his means. I've also asked that if I am to do nothing that He will take care of it. Thank you all for going through this with me.

I wouldn't assume anything. God can soften a heart even after a lifetime of rebellion, and cause that person to seek after Him.

It is only those who continuously blaspheme and who rail bitterly against Christ, His gospel, and His people that we are to "walk away" from. Yet we should always pray that God will grant them repentance! When He does, those same people will seek us out, saying, "Tell me again, tell me about Jesus please."

If she asks, do not withold the gospel from her! If she blasphemes continuously, scoffing and mocking and railing against God, then walk away - praying for God to bring her to Himself, and being prepared to share the gospel.

-R