Issue 728 – Pigs and Dogs – April 28, 2022
I have an early morning commitment today, so I dug this one out from the original Gleanings archives.
In one or two words, a picture of human nature can come across if you relate us to an animal. If we speak of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the image of danger comes to mind. Weasel brings a different picture to mind, as does fox. If I compared you to a turkey, you would probably not think of it as a flattering remark. If I said, “She was a real cow,” you wouldn’t think that I thought highly of her. How about a snake or chicken?
The Bible uses many animal metaphors for people. Of course, the biblical metaphor seen most commonly is that of sheep, with Jesus being the shepherd. It isn’t all that positive an image, as anyone who has spent time with sheep knows.
Sheep are not bright in many ways. They tend to stray off and get themselves in trouble. They will follow other sheep even to their peril. Making the image even less pleasant, I know that sheep can stink. I know they bite one another. It’s not a flattering picture, but there is a lot of truth in the comparison.
Of course, there is the flip side to the coin. Sheep know their master, and they respond to Him. If we are sheep, we will respond to Jesus, and when we stray, we will bleat out to him to rescue us.
The Bible even uses the terms pigs and dogs to describe people.
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” Matthew 7:6
Dogs are great companions, and I love them dearly, but dogs can be vicious. They bite, fight, growl and snarl. They have been known to turn on the hand that provides for them. They fight for dominance and power. There are a lot of humans out there that fit this picture well. We can quickly and viciously turn on those close to us. We can devour them.
Giving dogs something sacred can lead to you being torn apart. Hardened, unrepentant sinners are like those dogs. You bring biblical truth to them and the message of hope through Christ, and they will rip you limb from limb. They don’t care that Jesus is what they need; instead, they dee you as dangerous and attack.
Pigs are not very discerning. Either they eat the pearls, and they pass through the other end, or they’ll think you’re throwing things at them. A pig doesn’t know the difference between a pearl and a rock and doesn’t care what you throw. We know that the love of Jesus is a pearl, but to a pig, it is just something you are throwing. Either way, it is the waste of a good pearl.
That makes me stop and think. I wonder how often I have shared the precious love of Jesus with snarling, vicious dogs and undiscerning pigs. I know that God’s heart is for all people to accept His Son and be set free, but I also know that only relatively few will do that. Broad is the road that leads to destruction and narrow the gate that leads to Him, and only a few find it.
How do we balance the tension between the need to tell everyone and the fruitless efforts of throwing the sacred to dogs and pearls to swine? After all, none of us know who will be saved in the end and who will reject Jesus. Only God knows that.
I try to listen for Holy Spirit’s nudging. Sometimes he wants me to speak the truth boldly, and other times He wants me to keep my mouth shut. Since He is responsible for the results, I try and do what He wants, not what I want. That means there are times I will share the gospel boldly to what may be pigs or dogs in the hope that there will be a seeking heart in the midst. It also means that there are times I do not say something even though I want to.
God knows who the pigs and dogs are. Sometimes the most vicious anti-Christian is primed to hear and respond to the truth. We need to look no further than Saul of Tarsus (who became the apostle Paul) to demonstrate that truth. Sometimes the most receptive seeming of people will respond to the truth by biting the one who brings them the message. God sees a person’s heart, and we need to learn to trust and follow His leading.
Frequently, in a crowd, as in a farmyard, you might find sheep, pigs and dogs together or at least in close proximity. The Spirit might call you to share the truth for the sheep’s sake. Do not overlook the possibility. Holy Spirit will guide you to speak or hold your tongue.
Until next time, may you be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading about the who, when and where to share the truth of Jesus.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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