fellow chrisitans - does jesus tell us not to focus our ministry on the unreceptive?

Question

such as in matthew 7:6

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 then turn and tear you to pieces.


--- i ask this b/c i see this exact thing happening in virtually every post i read on this site. now i'm not saying we're not to witness, but as i heard recently the most effective witness is offering to pray for someone rather than debating them about theology.

Answer 1

You are right and carol is too! I don't unless something appears to be truly searching.


Shalom

Answer 2

You are correct. However the way I look at it, this is more like a public forum and if someone who does have a question starts to look through the back answers, don't you think there should be some answers that disagree with the junk atheists put forth?

If it was just between me and the questioner, I would let it drop because it is not worth it. But I think of the people that may see the answers later and write to them and not the questioner in most cases. I also generally only answer questions where there is a semi-valid or valid question and/or to correct a gross misunderstanding.

Answer 3

The verse can't mean that we are never to tell unreceptive people the Good News. Otherwise, every martyr would have sinned before he died, and the martyr Stephen was welcomed into heaven with a vision of Christ while he was throwing his pearls to the unreceptive.

When I've thought about this passage in the past, it helps me to get myself into the right attitude before I talk about spiritual things to a person. Do I think the unbeliever I am about to address is a pig, a dog, a worthless fellow, someone to be berated, someone I can humiliate with my superior argumentative powers? Then I'd best keep my mouth closed, because NOTHING of the love of Christ is going to be communicated to that lost person when I'm in that frame of mind.

When I come to the unbeliever with that haughty attitude, doesn't the atheist have every right to come back at me with a similar attitude, to "turn and tear" me to pieces in retaliation? I think he does.

That being said, many who try to "bait" Christians want to see how far they can push them before they'll say something nasty. I know for a fact that AT LEAST SOME OF THEM are trying to find out if all this "Love your neighbor, forgive your enemy" stuff is for real. I have come to enjoy this kind of exchange over the years. It's a merry challenge to see if I can respond, not door-mattishly, but as gently and respectfully as possible, and with humor, whenever possible. And there are enemies who have turned into friends that way. Maybe a few have even turned into Christians after we've gone our separate ways. One plants, one waters, another harvests, you know?

Here's how the verse is challenging me THESE days though. (Isn't it amazing how God can use the same Bible verse to teach you so many different things over the years. It's like I look at that verse with brand new eyes every time he's trying to teach me something new.

What I'm seeing now is how TIME is one of my most precious pearls. I have trouble managing it. Doing good things is good, but doing the best thing is best. I have to be smart about how much time I spend talking about the Bible with people, because I have too many other responsibilities in my life.

I don't have to win everybody on the Net to Christ. God has parts for ALL believers to play. And with that, I believe I shall log off for another week or so.....

Answer 4

You know Jesus tells us to witness but if they do not want to hear then we are to walk away and knock the dust from our feet. My husband witnessed to a man in the Nursing Home for many months. The man didnt mind what Rufus had to say and never asked him to go away. Well we found out he was in the hospital on Christmas day and we went to see him. I walked out of the room, but I felt like I should say something, but I was afriad to hinder the Spirit. I walked back in there and told Rufus to turn to Luke 16 where it talks about the rich man and Lazarus. Well I spoke plain to this man out of that verse, telling him that without Christ you are going to hell. and Rufus read him the scriptures. This man was saved on Christmas Day. You never know when something we say will get through to that one person. I do not say keep hounding one person, but our forums reach so many. So we should press on.

Answer 5

We are to plant the seed of salvation in their minds by sharing the word of God with them, but if they do not recieve it well, this is what God tells us to do...

Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Answer 6

It does not matter what someone else does to you. Only what you do to other people. Let them ask their questions and give their feedback. If they get biligerant (spelling), let them get it out. The only thing God requires of you is to answer their questions to the best of your abilities. Ask for His guidance in properly answering their questions. If they are unreceptive, move on. Ministering to others is not a race or fight to try to get them to believe what you do or try to convert them in any way. Most people do not understand that. You are simply to spread the Word of God to the best of your ability and move on. Let God do the rest. Like someone else said earlier, we are here to put the bug in their ear. With this in their minds, God can begin to pull at their hearts and souls.....

Answer 7

Bible thumpers of all persuasions are the best advertising atheists could hope for.

Bible thumpers conclusively prove to any logical person that "God" does not exist, and, if he (it?) did, he (it?) most certainly did not inspire a book. And, if he (it?) inspired the bible, he is more confused than a drunken drug addict after winning the lottery.

Y'all keep preaching, it's good for atheism.

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

The reason you see it so often on this sight, is because non-believers keep asking it of us, which translates to their being receptive. All we can do is say our piece, then pray for God to do the rest.

Answer 10

I think our duty, even sinners a s I, my duty is to be a disciple so Ill continue no matter what and how bad they treat me. Hell once i wa s so bad that I told a guy to go screw himself, but that same guy introduced me to God and I am bigger in God now

Answer 11

Darn, that's a great idea! Instead of prosyletizing, just pray for us. This way, we don't get annoyed by stupid posts, and you guys get to feel like you have fulfilled your duty. Bravo!