Matthew 7:6 (ESV)
Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls
before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
I read a story about a family dog named Scooter. Scooter
was a family dog, and during most of the dinner times, Scooter was confined to
her doghouse. There was one exception each year. When it was dad’s birthday
dinner the occasion deemed special enough that even Scooter was allowed to
socialize with the family at the table. In fact, the dad even fed Scooter a
piece of the prime-cut roast beef specially prepared for the occasion! Though
she eagerly scarfed the roast, I’m sure Scooter failed to appreciate the fine
delicacy she had been graciously given.
That is what it’s like when we offer godly counsel to
people who are not ready or willing to hear it. Wisdom, correction, counsel,
and rebuke are as precious as pearls. Proverbs 9 tells us that godly people
welcome such input. But foolish people want nothing to do with wise correction.
Instead, they will tear you to pieces with arguments, resistance, or mocking.
Even though we have a responsibility to humbly correct
people who are struggling with sin, Jesus urges us to discern whether a person
is open to correction or counsel. If the person who needs correction is
resistant to you, it is often better to step back, prayerfully ask God to
soften their hearts, and wait until they are open to listening to godly wisdom.
We must handle the precious gospel of Jesus with care, both giving and
receiving counsel with careful discernment.
Dear Lord, thank You for having entrusted us with the
precious truth of Your Word. May we receive its guidance as precious treasure,
and may we share your wisdom wisely. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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