Is this the most misquoted verse in the Bible by Christians?

Question

Matthew 7:6 ".....do not cast your pearls before swine."
I just saw this verse being used again (by a contact, a person who I respect greatly) in regards to quoting bible verses or witnessing to unbelievers. When in the CONTEXT of the verse, it is talking about christians being hypocritical.
My point is; The verse has nothing to do with witnessing. It is the CHRISTIAN who "cast pearls before swine" by BRINGING REPROACH to the name of Christ by practicing unchristian behavior. Why do so many christians use this verse as an excuse NOT to witness to someone? When did it become our job to decide that someone is just too "hopeless" to witness to? Why is this verse jerked out of its context so often?

Except for just a couple, there are some very strange "answers" here. Oh well, thats what I get for posting questions late at night.

To Book Man: You shouldnt be calling people ignorant. You used a comma in your first sentence when it wasnt necessary. A period ended your second sentence before the thought was complete, and you mispelled the word ignornant.

To Primao: Thank you for your imput. But I think you are proving my point. You're still using the verse out of context. Also, doesnt the "shake the dust from our feet" apply to the 70 that Jesus had sent out to the house of Israel? I dont have my bible with me at the moment, but I'm pretty sure that that is the context. If so, then are you sure that the "shake the dust" quote doesnt only apply to THEM? Is'nt this just another verse that christians use out of its context? As an excuse NOT to witness to some people? Just a thought.

To Book Man: Yes I know I also mispelled "ignornant". I intended to. I suppose the "ironey" was over your head. lol

Sasi, Your answer got me thinking that maybe MY question falls into your "foolish question" catagory that you mention, and should be avoided. lol. hmm. Maybe I should just delete this question?

Note to Outraged (Minister)
I have relooked at the context again and again. From Matt 7:1 through verse 12, it is about RELATIONSHIPS. Not about witnessing to unbelievers. Any meaning in verse 6 HAS to relate to THAT context. Sorry if your training taught you different. Jesus did not just throw out "stand alone" verses.

Sasi. You are correct of course. I SHOULD have pointed out that the user was NOT meaning that we shouldnt witness. This is just one of those verses that christians use so much, that I was waiting for a chance to pose the question. Shame on me for not differentiating between proper use and improper use. (20 lashes to me).

To Princess: Of course I KNEW what you MEANT. I know you better than that. I SHOULD have pointed THAT out. Oh well, at least as you said, it has GOT folks THINKING. LOL

To Laptop Jesus: I have read your answer at least a dozen times. I STILL dont see your point. Oh well. Maybe another cup of coffee and thirteen times will do the trick.

Answer 1

No, please don't delete this question! You've raised an interesting point. Perhaps some confusion has arisen because people don't know that it was my answer to a question asked by don s just yesterday that is the cause of your concern. The question was: "Shouldn't we be using the word of God more, especially when answering a question?"

I said I thought it depends on who is asking what, e.g. if a sceptic is just having a go at Christians then s/he might not be open to Bible quotations. However, a serious theological question... demands scriptural proof.

Now, if I've taken Matthew 7:6 out of context, then I humbly apologise. It never occurred to me that this verse refers to Christians who bring reproach to the name of Christ by practising unchristian behaviour. Interesting point.

The verse was not quoted to support the idea that we decide who we should or should not witness to. That is not an idea I subscribe to. Hope that clears things up.

P.S. You really livened things up today! It was all a bit boring till I spotted your question! Don't quit on us - we really like your input. Thanks for caring and sharing.

Answer 2

I saw that verse being used, just as you did, and I was saddened because a good opportunity to commend Christ to others was (at best) wasted, or (at worst) turned out to be a case of 'pearls trampled by swine' itself.

Only God and Christ can judge the hearts of people, as the Bible says (Mark 2:1-12). Christians are to cast the seeds of the gospel widely, knowing some will land on hard soil, others amongst weeds etc but the angels are the ones designated to gather the weeds up at the harvest, for burning. We just proclaim Christ, by word and deed, and wield the 'sword of the Spirit' (God's word). It is true that Proverbs warns about wasting words on foolish people, so any Christian on Yahoo seeing a foolish Q, should just avoid it and find a better one. To insult an Asker by quoting that verse to them risks their already low opinion of Christ and the Bible sinking into the mud.
Edit: No, it's not a foolish question, Berean! But it's causing confusion. I've just discovered I wrongly thought you referred to a Q posted by an atheist, to which a Christian responded, with that verse. I saw it an hour or so ago. Now I realise it was about whether to quote the Bible more in Yahoo answers and the Christian answer you objected to does not, in my opinion, merit your indignant response. It's all about context, my friend! Be blessed!

Answer 3

Evidently you've never come across a psychopath, someone with no conscious, someone who is pure evil hence 'swine'.
I know it sounds a little harsh but reality says there are those who walk amongst us who will do such reprehensible deeds. Don't you watch the news? How often do you go into a bar, You know a Pub, a brewery, or how about a house of ill repute, A den of iniquity to witness?

The person who helped me the most, the one that planted the first original seed, didn't speak a single word to me, he just walked up to me, handed me a bible, it was opened, then he turned around and walked away. Not one word did he speak yet he spoke volumes. I thank god for him.

I also learned about God's messengers, for there are many. I used to shoot every messenger. Now I withhold judgement for a messanger that might not appeal to me might be appealing to someone else and one that might appeal to me might not appeal to everyone else.

Your brethen quote bible verses and you call them down for it, you pass judgement on their behavior? A whole lot of verses get jerked out of context instead of everything being taken as a whole and it's not just Christians that do it.

Answer 4

Actually I think the most misquoted verse in the Bible is " money is the root of all evil" when in fact it says that the LOVE OF money is the root of all evil.,
however, i do see your point about the other one.
There are hundreds of sayings attributed to the Bible that just aren't there. For example, "cleanliness is ext to godliness" and "God helps those who help themselves"
They just aren't there, but if I am wrong, and you can show me scripture and verse, please correct me.
Have a blessed day.

Answer 5

The Berean,
I do not agree with your take on this scripture.

It was a warning by Jesus to His Disciples not to waste their time attempting to convince those who are violently apposed to Christ, they will trample what is presented to them, and attack the presenter. It is not about Christians being hypocritical, it is about trying to bring Christ to someone who is violently apposed to Him, that is what the context of this Scripture is all about.
Be Blessed in Christ Jesus !
Minister

Answer 6

I don't think this is the only verse that is taken out of context. There are hundreds that are misused based upon whatever the argument is.

Answer 7

Proverbs 9:7
He who reproves a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blemish.
8. Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom...

Answer 8

People use many texts to justify their actions. (Or lack thereof).

When someone calls on them about something they have done wrong, they`ll use "Judge not, lest thee be judged" - in other words - you shouldn`t talk about me cause you are at fault (somewhere) too.

And not only within the christian religion... Islam, Hinduism etc. all have their share of idiots that abuse their holy texts for personal benefits.

Answer 9

We are called to preach the gospel regardless of the audience.......

If the non-believers do not get it, then it is also our duty to shake the dust from our shoes and move on (take our pearls elsewhere)

Answer 10

I see your point, but I thought it was more a "don't judge" thing rather than a "don't sow" thing. like "you don't need to tell every person that they're going to Hell, especially in North America. those you know know, leave it at witnessing"

I always thought of pearls as words of value. hmm