Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Matthew 7:6
Judgment is a loaded word. Just like a loaded gun, it can be used to wound or it can be used to defend. But what does this have to do with “pearls before swine”? Much. When speaking truth, we run the risk of being perceived as judgmental. Or we can be received and appreciated for the correction administered.
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.” Titus 1:15 To the dogs and the pigs, all is scraps and dirt - even judgment.
Nevertheless, the context of this quote is regarding the sin of a judgmental heart that besets every human. Indeed, it is the path of least resistance for the mortal soul. It’s bourne of a poverty spirit, that prefers to elevate the self by bringing others down. But the eyes are turned away from the One who truly opens horizons to a magnanimous, expansive heart - the heart of a truly loving Father. So we can look at Jahweh, or we can look at others. We can ask of Him, seek Him, find Him. And He will give and reveal in amazing and fathomless ways. But here’s the rub: it goes against our natural tendencies to look at everything but Him. We need a supernatural tendency and to attain this tendency is truly a narrow way indeed.
It’s a narrow way of embracing over judging. It’s a narrow way of finding His heart over beholding failures. It’s a narrow way of inviting others into your experience of Him over extolling your own exploits in the kingdom.
Open your heart to give His love access, and you will discover a vast, glorious, undiscovered country.
-- revel8r 2/12/18
Hey, Chris you ARE a devotional nugget. Thanks for sharing so poetically.
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