From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus

19. Guard what is Sacred 

“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”

Matthew 7:6

Ever wonder why this passage immediately follows the previous one (in the previous section)? It’s because they go hand-in-hand. 

When someone is actively involved in being a bully, or robbing a store, or doing something else that is clearly wrong, that is not the time to tell them to love their neighbor as themselves (or some other wise command from this study). At least, not if they are clearly unsaved. I just spent a bit telling the reader here that trying to “fix” someone who is not saved prior to their being saved is the wrong order of things. We must (as believers) lovingly lead others to the Savior and if they accept Him and His cross, then let Him “fix” them, in whatever it is, in His way. 

Again, this is probably the most destructive thing to the Gospel of Christ. If someone is not spiritual they will not respond favorably to truly spiritual things. They will instead mock, tease, ridicule or even become violent toward the one who is sharing such truths. 

There’s a bit of a paradox, or irony, or inconsistency in unwisely sharing pearls of wisdom. And don’t think that those who are receiving such wisdom that is shared unwisely will not take notice of this irony. “Unsaved” does not equal “stupid”. 

Just like we don’t take a speck out of an eye when our own eye is polluted, so we don’t go around spitting out wisdom in an unthoughtful or unwise manner. This is how people (rightly) accuse the brethren of being hypocritical, unloving, or any of the other many accusations against our own unthoughtfulness toward others. 

Trust me, being a righteous person before others will earn you enough persecution in this world without going the extra bit and spewing out pearls of wisdom to the wrong people at the wrong time. 

Being a witness of God and His Son will already earn you a hefty amount of trouble in the world, you don’t need to add to it with being insensitive to the condition of others. 

Have you found yourself in the company of homosexuals? Deriding homosexuality isn’t going to do anyone or you any good in that situation. Perhaps in time, as you get to know others in that group, you will have the opportunity to speak life into them, with gentleness and respect. But preaching to a fallen crowd will almost certainly ruin your day—without accomplishing what you intended. 

Now, with that out there, it is possible to go into a prison and preach the Good News when done right (through the power of the Holy Spirit). And that is really what is paramount in all of this; follow the leading of Jesus’ Holy Spirit. He will give you the wisdom to say what is needed when it is needed, and how it will be received. But as a general rule—commandment, really—refrain from preaching holiness to the unholy, when they are not ready. 

Previous – Do Not Be Judgmental | Next – Care For Those In Distress

Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments