Christians: Exactly what does Matt:7:6 mean?

Question

"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. In the context of judging.

Question is from a Christian

Thanks Rhonda and Hannah, just wanted to be sure. That is what I thought it mean't.

Answer 1

The Bible is a balance. It takes teachings that might be abused or misconstrued and gives the couter-teaching that will bring clarity. This is one of those times. The concept of "Do not judge or you too will be judged" has often been taken to the extreme, as if it meant that no one has the right to ever judge whether what someone else is doing is right or wrong. Jesus never intended that to be the case. Jesus Himself often judged the motives of others, and in Matthew 23 castigates the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law for their hypocrisy. Just a few verses after Matthew 7:6, Jesus warns against false prophets, which, of course, takes a judgment as to who is true and who is false.

The first five verses deal with hypocritical judging of others, of being nit-picking and judgmental, with a desire to prove that you are superior and others inferior. Notice Jesus did not just say - Don't judge - he added - "or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." And in the second illustration, He said - 4 "How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Notice He says that the issue of judging others is whther you can be measured by the same measurement you mete out , and in the second illustation He says you can "then take the speck from your brother's eye." You see, the issue is not that issue of judging, it is a metter of judging hypocritically.

So verse 6 gives balance. Do not judge hypocritically, judgmentally,with a spirit of superiority, judge wisely and humbly. Recognize that you cannot respond to everyone the same way. Some people ask questions, not because they are seeking answers, but because they hope to make fun of the religious person. Jesus warns us not to give them ammo. Jesus modeled this himself. He chose carefully who He answered and how He answered them. For instance, when brought before Herod at His trial, He gave no answer to Herod. There were times when Jesus warned those He had healed not to tell because he knew it would be misused by His enemies or by those who were looking for a miracle worker and not the true Savior.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Matthew 7 first admonishes us to take care in how we judge others, for we will be judged the same way. Then it goes on to say not to be hypocritical by judging another's sin while our own sins are bigger still.

Finally it comments in Matthew 7:6 that if we deem someone to be a "dog" or "swine", take care in not spending your time preaching to such. I assume the ability to judge someone as such, comes after maturing. Sometimes even on these pages you can answer a non-believers question with your "pearls", and literally get them thrown back in your face. One must be aware also that while your purpose is to do good and find truth, there are some who only seek to weaken your faith.

Answer 3

Proverbs 9:7-9 says He that is correcting the ridiculer is taking to himself dishonor, and he that is giving a reproof to someone wicked—a defect in him. Do not reprove a ridiculer, that he may not hate you. Give a reproof to a wise person and he will love you. Give to a wise person and he will become still wiser. Impart knowledge to someone righteous and he will increase in learning.
The inability of swine to recognize the value of pearls was employed by Jesus in illustrating the unwisdom of sharing spiritual things with those having no appreciation whatever of spiritual thoughts and teachings.
Some ask spiritual questions in a genuine quest for knowledge and wisdom. These we can and should share what we have learned from the Bible with. Others only purpose is to ridicule. It is wasteful and unwise to expend time and energy sharing spiritual "pearls" with them since it will not help them and will only bring dishonor to you.

Answer 4

It means do not waste your timing giving gifts to those who have absolutely no appreciation. In other words, the teachings of God and the truths found in his word are a precious gift. Do not try to share it with those who clearly have no desire or appreciation for it and will only tear you to pieces if you try.

Notice the account at Luke 4:1-13: Jesus did not try to teach the good news of God's kingdom to Satan. It would have been a pure waste of time and precious gift. See?

Hannah J Paul

Answer 5

Dogs and swine refer to people who are enemies of the gospel, as opposed to those who are merely unbelievers. : )

Do not waste time for who are hateful toward God and everything what He represents. But it is OK to give reason for your hope for all the people who listen you. :)

This principle is why Jesus Himself did not do miracles for unbelievers. ( 13: 58 ) This is to be done in respect for what is holy, not merely out of contempt for the dogs and swine. : )

( Nothing here contrdicts the principle of 5:44. That verse governspersonal dealings with one's enemies. This verse governs how one handles the gospel in the face of those who hate the truth. )

Answer 6

it means when people are just trying to get you to mess up and they don't really want to listen then shut up and tell someone that does need your help in finding the lord. don't wast your time on someone that isn't really ready to hear what you have to say.the lords word would be the holy pearls and every one that doesn't want to hear you would be the pig dogs that will try and hurt you with there mouths. no one wants to be bad and they don't want to know they have been messing up just like an animal will when cornered they will attack you. i hope this helped some

Answer 7

means not to bother giving scripture to people who hate scripture and not to give biblical truths to someone who doesnt want the truth. They dont understand it. They are ignorant. Thats why I dont even bother to answer anyone who has a disgusting picture or has some mad face avatar. They are just ignorant and dont really want to know your answer.

Answer 8

When someone has made up their mind and refuses to listen to the truth then walk away, hold your head up and leave

Answer 9

Don't give something good to someone who won't appreciate it.
This passage is not about judgment.

Answer 10

unconverted cant understand so why bother?
some answers i make are short and thats why cuz they have no respect....