Pearls Are Not for Pigs
Here are the words of Jesus Christ from Matthew 7:6-8 NKJV:
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.
As I was trying to press forward through a tough time in my life and trying to understand all that had taken place, the Holy Spirit brought the above Scripture to my remembrance and spoke these words to me one day- Pearls are not for pigs. I then became instantly aware of the numerous times in my life where I had been careless with things that I should have guarded more carefully. I realized that I had been wasting time casting precious pearls in places where I should not have. Sometimes I did so in ignorance and sometimes I did so knowingly. In some instances, after pearls were cast, God allowed me to escape the turning and tearing of the pigs. In other situations, He allowed me to experience just enough of the tearing so that I could learn and never forget again to heed Jesus’ instructions. Remember what King David said in Psalm 119:71 NKJV?
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
The damage done by the trampling, turning, and tearing of pigs has not been pleasant, easy, or quick to recover from – but, from a biblical perspective, it has been good for me in that it has taught me unforgettable lessons. It has taught me that every single Word that God has spoken to us or speaks to us- every warning, command, promise, or instruction- is something we should meditate on, cherish above any other words, pray to understand, and honestly endeavor to live by.
Jesus often taught spiritual truths through use of physical or natural illustrations, metaphors, and parables. Without awareness of this, one can read the Scriptures and totally miss the life-changing truths contained in them. The pearls that He is referring to are much more valuable than the expensive pearls worn as jewelry. Pearls can represent anything that is holy. Pearls can be anything that is valuable. Pearls can represent the various precious treasures and blessings that God has provided to you, for you, or even through you. Pearls can be spiritual truths. Wisdom and understanding can be pearls. Pearls can be the various abilities that God has placed in you to be used for kingdom purposes. Time spent in God’s presence is a pearl. The time that you give to others can be a pearl. Peace, joy, and righteousness are pearls. Believers have been enriched with plenty of kingdom pearls and we should be careful about how, where, and with whom we share them.
The pigs that Jesus refers to can be thought of as those who have little or no value for what God has entrusted you with, allowed you to experience, or placed into your possession. Jesus warned that casting valuable pearls before swine leads to two responses from the swine – trampling of the pearls and turning of the swine on you to attack you. What is a pearl to you may not appear as a pearl to a pig. A pig lacks understanding of the value of a pearl. Pearls are costly. Pearls require great care. Pearls are sought after and not easily found. It is a mistake to assume that a pig can or will recognize a valuable pearl for what it truly is. Some could save themselves much heartache and prevent wasted time by understanding and heeding Jesus’s words.
In places where pearls are carelessly shared with pigs, the result is that pearls are damaged, wasted or lost. The turning and tearing of pigs lead to damage in numerous areas for so many people– spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and financial damage. Damage from pigs can include devastation on many different levels such as tearing or rending of the heart. Tearing of the mind. Tearing of a person’s will. Tearing of emotions. Tearing of dreams. Physical health that is torn. Relationships that are torn. Opportunities long awaited for that are suddenly ripped away. Tearing away of trust. Tearing away of hope. Clarity of purpose that is torn and many other things. When pigs turn and tear, God is the ultimate source of help, healing, recovery and restoration. Only He can bring back what has been lost, bind up what has been wounded, and strengthen what has been made weak by the trampling, turning, and tearing of pigs.
If we’re not careful to remember and heed Jesus’ warning, we will make the mistake of giving the pearls we have been entrusted with to people who not only have little appreciation for them but who will also turn on us with destructive intent.
Are you casting pearls that God has given to you in the wrong places? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Do my emotions lead me to make hasty or careless decisions – and do my emotions prevent me from exercising good judgement?
- Do I sacrifice things to others or for others that should be devoted to or reserved for God?
- Do I seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to help me know what things or people I need to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to?
- Do I seek God’s wisdom to help me understand how to interact people while also being aware of boundaries that I need to respect?
- Do I know how to accept rejection and quickly move on when necessary?
- Do I know what pearls God has given me – do I understand their value and am I careful to protect them and share them with the right people in the right places?
- Am I so focused on doing for others that I often put myself in harm’s way, overstretch myself, or neglect personal items that I need to attend to?
Pray about these questions. Add others to the list as the Holy Spirit leads you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the areas in your life where change is needed. Repent. Receive God’s healing. Ask God and trust Him through the Holy Spirit to show you new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding concerning the pearls He has entrusted you with. ~Sandy