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)
Take a look at these verses from the books of Philippians and Revelation.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! (Philippians 3:2)
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:15)
Surely Paul and John wouldn't be speaking of dogs as the term literally means. Paul exhorts the believers at Philippi to "beware of dogs" and John writes "outside are dogs"(outside New Jerusalem). Whom were they hinting at then?
They spoke about false teachers and hypocritical Pharisees, who, though familiar with the law, lived a life without any real relationship with God.
There are others who have a "Let anything happen, I don't care attitude.....", swine like..........
Jesus taught not to give what was holy to the dogs and not to cast pearls before swine.
Believers should exercise discretion when speaking the truths of the Gospel to people. Some of the people we speak to may be like dogs and like swine, wilfully resisting the Gospel and harming the bearers of the Good News. They know the truths but have hardened themselves not to submit to it.
They don't care about the truths and are ever ready to trample them under their feet and cause harm, as the history of Christian martyrs would attest to.
Jesus advices caution while we do his work. Even when he sent out his disciples for the first time, he told them- Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues....... (Matthew 10:16, 17)
The best for us would be to rely on the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, for he will guide us in the Lord's work each and every day.
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