Judge Not, Least Ye Be Judged! Really?

Now we go back to Matthew 7:6 as we confront one of the hard sayings of Jesus. When we truly understand what Jesus is saying, this may become uncomfortable for some of us to hear. 6 "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. Dogs in this context are not our wonderful pets, they are wild animals that will attack and turn on you in a moment. In this scripture, think of the dogs as a pack of wolves.

Jesus is saying you MUST use good judgement when you are presenting the Gospel or ministering to others. Jesus is saying, do not present or give to others what is holy and sacred. Giving the Gospel message to some people will cause them to turn and attack you like a wild dog and tear you to pieces. In many Muslim countries today, just speaking the name of Jesus will cause you to be put to death. Some special interest groups in America will attack you, do everything possible to get you fired from your job or close down your business if they find that you are a Christian. Jesus is saying that your faith is a precious and holy thing. Beware of those who are quick to attack and tear you to pieces.

And do not throw the pearls – the good things of God to those who have rejected Him. They will just trample them underfoot like a pig. I know a person whose faith is very important to her. She sees how clearly God changed her life and how He continues to bless her. More than anything she wanted to share her faith with her brother and one Christmas she gave him the most special gift she could think of. She gave him a Bible. He unwrapped it. Looked at it and handed it back to her. He said, “I don’t want that..” That’s what Jesus was talking about in VERSE 6. Don’t give holy things to a pig. They will just trample it underfoot. That Christmas morning. When the world gathers to celebrate the birth of Jesus. That girl’s brother rejected the Holy Word of God, as he trampled on his sister’s heart that day.

Don’t give God’s message or scripture to those who heap scorn on His Holy Word. That doesn’t mean that we are not to evangelize to the lost. But Jesus says you are to use good judgement when you do so because there are those who will tear you to pieces when you do. That doesn’t mean that we are not to speak God’s word to our own loved ones, friends and those who God has brought into our lives. But Jesus says you need to use good judgement. Avoid giving the Holy things of God to those who will thoughtlessly trample them underfoot. Use good judgement – wisdom and discernment – and give those holy things only to those who will cherish and honor them.

Should we judge others? Yes. Looking at another’s actions and behaviors and what is being produced – the fruit of their lives. If we see unrepentant sin, wrongdoing or evil, we have a few choices on how to deal with it. We may chose to just withdraw from that person for our own physical, emotional and spiritual safety and protection.