Of dogs, pigs, and fools

“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23:9‬ ‭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.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Of, dogs, pigs and fools

I have learned that some things are simply a waste of time. Disputing with people over issues of faith with people who do not share that faith is useless, and there is no way of building understanding. Many of those who call themselves Christians are caught up in a culture war, where faith and values run headlong into the ways of the world.

Those who have chosen this battle, find themselves consumed, often discouraged, and have the potential to become unloving. As believers we are identified by the presence of the fruit of the spirit, of our self control, our calm, our peace, and many other things that sort us apart for the world. We are most identified by our love.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In going to battle with those who do not believe, we endanger our testimonies, as conflict often ensues, and we begin to reflect the attributes of the flesh, rather than the Spirit. In disputing, we are playing by the rules of the evil one, and the Lord.

The fruit of the flesh can easily prevail, and the Gospel is rendered ineffective because those who are charged with bringing it reflect the world, and provide no contrast. The works of the flesh become evident, overpowering the presence of the Lord.

As we do battle by the rules of the evil one, there is a disinhibition, as those works restrained by the Holy Spirit, are given reign over us. Subsequently, we no longer seek to show Jesus, but show something we still call Christianity, but bears no resemblance, but is in truth sin.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:19-21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Because of these battles, I frequently see all things above, in the body of Christ. Many behave as unbelievers. It is tragic, as few truly go about telling of Jesus and His power to save.

Brothers and sisters, let us remember that the vast number of people we encounter in any given day are lost and without hope in Christ. Seeking to give people the holy things of God, is truly like casting pearls before swine. They are not going to see the things of God as treasure, for they are blinded.

The Gospel is the only message that can penetrate the stony heart of the sinner.

Instead of warring over the culture, let us go and tell what Jesus has done for us. We have been given a great testimony by the God/Man who came to this world to live like us, die for us, and make away for us to be saved.

Let us not be unequally yoked in conflict with unbelievers. But let’s us stand in contrast, like light in darkness, illuminating a different and better life, with an eternal destiny in Heaven rather than a eternity in hell.

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Happy Sunday! I gotta taste for some ribs!

https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm