Thursday, August 28, 2008
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Have You Thrown Your Pearls to Pigs Lately?
While browsing random blogs, I came across an entry that quoted this 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 then turn and tear you to pieces." - Matthew 7:6
This verse comes right after the whole "do not judge, or you too will be judged" passage, and I'm still not sure how the context affects it, so please forgive me (and feel free to correct me in the comments) if the following thoughts are totally wrong...they are just what God has revealed to me based on my understanding of that verse.
I'm sure most of us know what it feels like put the best parts of ourselves on the line, only to have those parts trampled upon, and for many of us (myself included, of course), damage our self-esteem and lead us to question our inherent value.
I've met a good amount of dogs and pigs in my (short) lifetime, and I'm sure on many occasions, I've been one myself. It's interesting how the Bible gives us license to hold back; granted, it takes a few mistakes to develop enough discernment to know when someone (or something) is a dog or a pig, but it's also important to remember that the way we are treated does not wholly determine our worth or identities.
To use a really obvious example, I've had my fair share of romantic troubles, which usually boil down to the revelation that the guy wants little more than a physical relationship or a fling with me. The worst of these instances occurred about a year ago, when a guy I'd been seeing for awhile broke up with me over the phone, confessing that he had little intention of pursuing a real relationship with me and had found someone else that he would rather commit to. Without going into too much detail, he and I did have a relationship "of sorts" before he left me for the other girl, with whom he made it official a week after our phone conversation, whereas he never made it official with me even though we'd been seeing each other for far longer. His answer to my unhappy response (to put it lightly), has stayed with me since:
"How could you think I really wanted to commit to you? We had a lot of romantic encounters, but I didn't pursue you romantically. I never bought you flowers. I never brought you anywhere special. I never told you stuff like how much I ~*loved*~ you. I didn't tell you stuff like you are pretty or beautiful because I didn't want you to get attached."
"Wait," I thought to myself later on..."does that mean I'm the type of girl a guy would hook up with, but not buy flowers for?"
I've felt stupid, I've felt inept, and I've felt awkward, but for the first time in my life, I felt cheap.
From then on, the thoughts, "you're just a whore," or "guys just want to sleep with you," or "don't expect people to go out of their way for you, because they don't want to anyway, they just want to use you," stuck around in my head. It's not like I even date that much or hook up with tons of people, but it grieved me to realize that I'd given the best part of myself - my heart - only to have it handled so carelessly.
The words, "You're cheap," followed by the guy's statement echoed after every insecurity I experienced afterward, whether in regard to work, academics, making friends, and especially with more romance. Soon it seeped into my faith: I'm just no good enough for God to use. People cannot see God in me, therefore I'm useless as a testimony. My heart desires after the wrong things, I don't know my Bible anymore, and I'm really not very holy.
"God, I feel so cheap," I said in prayer one time, before wondering again if anyone was really listening, and if I were crazy as well. Before I could really complete that thought, however, the verse, "You were bought at a price," (1 Corinthians 7:23) jumped to my mind. And that price was...God Himself. I've heard that a billion times, but it suddenly felt like new information.
See, regardless of how the dogs and pigs treat us, the best parts of ourselves remain pearls. The Bible doesn't say, "don't give to dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs, because then the pearls will turn into pebbles and what is sacred will become barren." No, you'll take a hit, you'll be torn apart, but that really doesn't change what you are made of.
Christ died for us before we were even born, and that can't be changed or undone. I ask myself what worth something really has if it is broken, but then I remember that Christ himself was broken on the cross, in body and in spirit, for my sake.
When was the last time the best parts of yourself (whatever you consider them to be) were trampled on? How did this affect your sense of self-worth?
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Comments (24)
Fantastic post. I've never seen the verse in quite that light. It's powerful. Praise God for revealing your worth to you. I needed to read this. Thank you.
Wonderful post. I know exactly what you mean. It takes a long time to realize we truly are still God's pearls.
Amazing entry, I loved reading it. When I was a little boy going to Sunday school, I remember my teacher (long since gone home to be with the Lord) telling us all that "God don't make garbage."
Thank you for sharing this.
Amen to that.
Everyone is a beautiful person because God loves everyone.
i think a universal example of that is giving more than you get. people always wonder whether or not it was worth it.
When was the last time the best parts of yourself (whatever you
consider them to be) were trampled on? How did this affect your sense
of self-worth?
- mainly your own heart. it hurts, but it heals eventually and you learn to not give so easily.
There are going to be lots of times that this kind of treatment will occur, and all of us will find ways to go on. The best thing is that you found out that no matter what others might see, you know what God sees: a person of intrinsic and incalculable value.
Even when people love you the best ways that they know how, be they parents, siblings, spouses, children or friends, there will be times when you feel like they hold you cheap. Don't let it get to you. Either they come around later, or they won't. Just hang on to the facts: God sees real value, and He knows YOU aren't CHEAP, until you act like you are.
Thankfully, even when you do, there is always a way back to the place where you are valuable once again - in every way.
This was a very intriguing post. Good job!
I've always heard the interpretation for this verse as "don't give your knowledge to those who will only step on it". But I really like what you got from it and many of the points you made can totally be backed up by Scripture.
Wow this is an amazing post. I've been struggling with this kind of thing for a long time.
I think that each trial, or brick wall, is another test of faith to build us up, make us stronger, and take us one step closer to God. There's a reason why that path is narrow. Many don't make it. Those who, truly, love and fear God will not let anything stand in their way.
I have been thinking along these similar lines the last couple of days. In most of my classes we do a lot of sharing and discussing issues related to our respective classrooms and other stuff. I feel like every time I say something my classmates don't listen. It makes me not want to say anything. I actively listen to them by making eye contact and nodding, etc. But I feel like it is never returned. I think I end up speaking less in class. If they aren't going to listen, why should I talk?
I guess I tend to perceive this type of action a lot. I definitely become more reserved and less likely to share what is going on in my life. I just feel like it's all bottled up with no where to go.
this is an interesting way of interpreting that verse.
Not everyone is fit or subject to reproof by the believer.
Good counsel and reproof are a holy thing, and a pearl: they are ordinances of God, they are precious; as an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is the wise reprover (Proverbs 25:12), and a wise reproof is like an excellent oil (Psalms 141:5); it is a tree of life (Proverbs 3:18).
That said, the Spirit of God is certainly able to bring healing to you by ministering to you through a verse when you are meditating on His Word !
hey. the verse was mentioned in "our daily bread" and it might give you some discernment on why it comes after "do not judge..."
http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2006/02/24/devotion.aspx
"Many people believe that Christians are
told never to judge others. As “proof,” they quote Jesus’ words in
Matthew 7: “Judge not, that you be not judged” (v.1). But a closer look
at what Jesus said shows that there are times when we must make
judgments.
In verses 1 to 5, Jesus warned us how easy it is to be
blind to our own faults while we pick at the faults of others. In verse
6, however, He showed us the necessity of judging. He told us, “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.”
To
follow Jesus’ teaching, we must learn the difference between judging
people and evaluating situations. But who among us is wise enough to
consider any situation without condemning or judging the persons
involved? That is why, in verses 7 to 11, we are told to earnestly ask,
seek, and implore help from our heavenly Father. “Your Father who is in
heaven [will] give good things to those who ask Him” (v.11).
Whenever
we must make judgments, we must prayerfully bear in mind that our God
is the one who “will bring every work into judgment, including every
secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). — Albert Lee
If you are called upon to judge—
A situation to discern,
Don’t shy away when duty calls,
But to God’s Word for wisdom turn. —Hess
The righteous Judge gives discernment to those who ask Him."
Anyway, i hope you'll guard your heart and body for someone who deserves it, who also loves the Lord.
Thx for the post; I've always struggled to understand what that verse meant. I would say about half a year ago, I felt like crap when my then boyfriend told me out of nowhere that he felt that he didn't want to be with me anymore. So that stirred up alot of insecurities within myself, which fueled even more after 2 mths from the split, I saw him with another girl. So after that I just picked myself up and told myself that I am worth it all and to never place myself with someone who wasn't serious about me. God is good, even through all the junk, but He gives us His strength to be strong. We are to guard our hearts against the dogs and pigs of our lives while also remembering that Jesus is what we measure our worth against and oh how I love that He loves us first. So no matter what man or woman breaks your heart or makes you feel like nothin', brush it off and know that you were bought at a price and that He in Heaven is restoring us inside and out. I think it's about how we rise up after the hard time has surpassed that defines who we are. Keep on keepin' on
@hellomarei - Well said!
Thank you for sharing.
I think that this gives me more insight as to why God designed sex to be for marriage and marriage only. When you are joined with your spouse and become one flesh, there won't be any of that "cheap" feeling, just genuine love and happiness.
Thanks for sharing. I totally agree with you.
My first interpretation of that verse was, "Do not share the promises God has given you with just anyone.. because they will laugh in your face and discourage you ( out of jealousy?).. causing you to question and doubt that very promise that you first recieved with joy, allowing Satan to snatch it away from you. Instead, take God's promises and hide them in your heart."
His words and promises are sacred and holy.
I needed this. Thanks... :')
i think the title of this topic is wrong... it does not match ur post... such as... throwing pearls to pigs are more like a christian(s) trying to share the word with people who are stone hearted... or someone willingly (to the core) dont want to hear the word... this post more seems like dating issues and then some how transplant the ideal that it is throwing pearls to swine... becareful how you use those words... what i mean by that is, sometime it produces pride... when we are same as the dogs...
one verse still puzzles me to this day is psalm22.. the part that says "the dogs surrounds me"
didn't even realize i needed to hear this. thanks for sharing
as a pastor's wife, there have been plenty of times when i've been so excited to share a truth that has been revealed to me to teach. and so often, i've left this time that ought to have been full of special growth disappointed in the students response.
i think we all have a choice when going into study...you can prepare yourself to recieve pearls of wisdom that God is going to impart to you...or you can remain a pig or dog, and hope that some pearls get past your grubbiness.