How does Matthew 7:6 relate to Proverbs 23:9's advice on speaking? The Core Verses Matthew 7:6: “Do not give dogs what is holy; do not cast your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” Proverbs 23:9: “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” Shared Principle: Discernment in Our Speech • Both verses urge careful stewardship of truth. • “Holy” things and “pearls” picture treasured, God-given wisdom; Proverbs calls it “wisdom of your words.” • The warning: some listeners neither value nor respect divine truth and will respond with hostility or contempt. Identifying the Audiences: Dogs, Swine, and Fools • “Dogs” and “swine” (Matthew 7:6) were unclean, aggressive scavengers—symbolic of people hardened against spiritual truth (Philippians 3:2). • “Fool” (Proverbs 23:9) in Hebrew denotes one who is morally obstinate, not merely uninformed (Proverbs 1:7). • Common trait: a settled disdain for godly counsel. Why Silence Can Be Golden • Protects sacred truth from ridicule. • Guards the messenger from needless harm (“turn and tear you to pieces”). • Preserves time and energy for receptive hearts (Matthew 10:14; Acts 13:45-46). • Reflects God’s own pattern—He sometimes withholds revelation from the willfully blind (Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:13-15). Practical Ways to Apply This Wisdom • Gauge receptivity: look for humility, curiosity, or conviction before sharing deeper truths. • Offer truth once; if mocked, withdraw graciously (Titus 3:10-11). • Keep praying for hardened hearts, but wait for God-given openings rather than forcing conversation. • Invest in the teachable—Jesus spent most time with disciples, not scoffers (Mark 4:34). • Maintain a gentle tone; discernment is not disdain (2 Timothy 2:23-25). Balancing Discernment and Compassion • Jesus also said, “Go into all the world” (Mark 16:15); initial witness is still commanded. • The line is crossed when a person proves persistently scornful. • Even then, love remains: silence is protective, not punitive, leaving room for future repentance (1 Peter 3:15-16). Scriptures that Echo the Same Theme • Proverbs 9:7-8 – rebuking a mocker invites abuse. • 2 Peter 2:22 – those who return to folly after knowing truth are likened to dogs and swine. • 1 Samuel 25 – Abigail wisely avoids reasoning with drunken Nabal, but acts later. • Ecclesiastes 3:7 – “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” |
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