In the middle of his sermon Jesus interrupts himself to say, “Give not that which is holy to dogs nor give your pearls to swine, lest they trample them and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6).. I have to ask myself, why this sudden interest in pigs and dogs?
It is true that a pack of wild dogs can devour a human in a matter of seconds, and that a 600 pound pig is no match for a grown man. But Jesus is not really talking about dogs and pigs. He is talking about hypocrites, people who say they want the truth, but have no desire to know the truth much less live it. His words mirror what he has just said about nitpicking each other. Such individuals are playing a game of one-upmanship.
People who are not truly seeking answers from God will turn on you if you attempt to share holy truths with them. They will tear your spirit limb from limb in their attack against righteous principles. Jesus is instructing us not to attempt to teach such people holy truths or share precious gems of God’s glory with those who have no desire to glorify God.
He also demonstrated this to his followers. When his disciples asked him why he spoke in parables he answered, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (Mathew 13:10-11).
We are not meant to witness to everyone. Only those to whom God sends us.
