CHAPTER 22: Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Swine

c HAP t E r 22

DON’T CAST YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

“Wise conversation is way above the head of fools. In a serious discussion they haven’t a clue.” Proverbs 24:7 (Message)

Jesus restates this same principle in Matthew 7:6. He says it this way, “Don’t give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine. Least they trample them underfoot and turn and tear you in pieces.”

In both of these scriptures we are being given the same warning. The warning is to not take what is holy or special, anything of exceptional value, and share it with just anyone. Have you ever made that mistake? Perhaps you had a special experience, something spiritual you discovered in the Bible. You were very excited but when you shared it, that person could care less. Perhaps it was worse. Perhaps, as Jesus said, they turned on you and mocked you for it.

In Matthew 7:5 Jesus says, “Hypocrites, first remove the plank out of your own eye, then you will be able to see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.” The first step to recognizing with whom you can share valuable information is to be aware of your own condition. Are you sensitive to what others are sharing with you? Or do

you consider yourself to be the connoisseur of everything spiritual. Paul, who saw Jesus in a vision, who wrote most of the new testament, toured parts of heaven and wrote about it, didn’t even consider himself to “have arrived.” If Paul still had more to learn, then I know you and I do.

I like what Lester Sumrall said. “If you graduate today and don’t learn anything tomorrow you are already behind.” We should all strive to be lifelong learners. We must also be careful, however, not to let anyone take the wind out of our sails.

Solomon talks more about this clueless fool in Proverbs 26:4-5. He says, “Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, least you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, least he be wise in his own eyes.”

At first this is confusing. Solomon says do answer a fool and don’t answer a fool in the same verse. What is he trying to say? He is saying that with a fool you can’t win. A conversation with them is a lose, lose scenario. As we see in Proverbs 24:7, “serious conversation is over their head.” On one hand you can answer them, making an attempt to convince them of their error. But they won’t understand you. If you aren’t careful you will lose your composure in a heated debate and your behavior will be as wrong as theirs. But if you choose to avoid engaging in a no win debate the fool will feel certain that they are right. Both approaches end unpleasantly. So which do you chose? Only God knows, but the good news is that if you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He can lead you. Only He knows which is the best road to choose in each individual case.

Solomon wants us not to be surprised when we run into someone who just does not want to learn. These people have already decided they know everything they need to know. Proverbs 26:16 says, “The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer sensibly.” That is very contrary to the life of a wise man. To him, being corrected is a valuable experience. Proverbs 6:23 puts it this way, “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”

Nobody is saying you should become a junkie for negative feedback. Criticism is never hard to find. It is pretty easy to locate a doubting Thomas who will say, “That will never work. Why bother. Your idea is dumb etc…” Solomon isn’t saying that you should love to be insulted. A wise man loves to be corrected because he knows where to look for correction. He doesn’t go around throwing his wisdom in front of people who won’t value it. He seeks out wise individuals who care enough about his success to tell him when he is out of line, and he values their advice. (Proverbs 27:6) “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” He relishes correction from the wise. That is very different than seeking hecklers.

Mark 4:24 says, “Be careful what you hear.” A lot of people have the idea that the wiser they are the more worldly influence they are able to withstand. Sort of like movie ratings, PG 13 is supposed to mean that children under 13 may lack the discernment to handle some of the content or Constant exposure to thematic elements. Some people assume that with worldliness diminishes increased wisdom will not heightens your come increased capacity for exposure to worldliability to see it from a ness. Nothing could be further from the truth. godly perspective The wiser you are the less you will allow yourself to be exposed to garbage. In the Amplified version Mark 4:24 says, “He said to them, be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.” Wisdom’s heightened ability to discern wickedness from godliness comes not from increased exposure to worldliness but from increased exposure to godliness. When, through wisdom, you are guarding your eyes and ears and you accidentally come across a television program filled with crass humor that celebrates sinful

behavior, you will see it perhaps for the first time for what it really is, repulsive. Constant exposure to worldliness diminishes not heightens your ability to see it from a godly perspective. But increased exposure to God’s Word will bring increased understanding.

God’s Word is living and powerful sharper than a two edged sword. When you meditate on it you will not be disappointed. I have studied and preached on passages of scripture and then later listened to another preacher teach on the same passage, and I suddenly felt like a kindergartner. The verse exploded with new meaning. The moment you think you have arrived is the moment it is proven that you haven’t. Paul said “I do not consider myself to have arrived.” Surely neither have we. Let’s not be that fool to whom serious discussions are out of reach. Seek wisdom, and it will be found.