Podcast (daily-devotion): Play in new window | Download | Embed

[expand title=”Devotion Text”]

Matthew 7:6

Do not give dogs what is holy, do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Is there ever a time when we shouldn’t share the gospel? Is there ever a time when we should stop sharing the gospel? Are there times when we need to back off from sharing Jesus?

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was teaching about the danger of judging other people. He used the example of pointing out a speck of sawdust in another person’s eye while you have the whole plank in your own eye. Now he uses some words that seem shocking. He gets our attention in order to drive home a point about discernment.

In Jesus’ day, dogs were not pets but scavengers, half-wild animals. Pigs, in the Jewish mind, were unclean. “Sacred” in this verse refers to the gospel. Jesus reminds us that we must be prudent and discerning when it comes to sharing the good news. There will be times when blinded eyes, hardened hearts, agnostic attitudes, and unbelieving minds must be left alone (See Acts 13:44-48; 18:5-6). The gospel is an eternally valuable gift. God must prepare the heart before we can present the message.

Talking to God

Father, please don’t allow me to use this passage as an excuse to back off on sharing your truth. As I look for opportunities to share, give me discernment. Help me plant in fields that you have prepared. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

[/expand]

 

---

 

Today on The Journey Broadcast:

 

God, What Are You Trying to Teach Me? – Part 1