DOGS AND SWINE

DOGS AND SWINE

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you."

We are not to be critically censorious, but we must exercise discrimination and discretion. There are characters we must discern and be careful of, for there are things committed to our care which we must safeguard at all costs for the church is the household of the truth. This may appear a rough description of the characters, but the King makes use of no vulgar descriptions except when He is describing vulgar things. Who are the "dogs," the "swine"? Let Scripture interpret Scripture. No doubt Peter heard Him say this, and after he had passed through very wonderful experiences he wrote, and used words his Master used. "It has happened to them according to the true proverb, the dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:22). "It has happened unto them." In the previous chapter we have a remarkable exposition of these words of Jesus. The chapter be­gins with false prophets. As we go on through the chapter we have the ter­rible teaching that, though we may be in the place of privilege and blessing, if we turn our back upon it we must be cast out therefrom. It is a terrible and dark description of certain men who resolutely set themselves against holy things, but who come into holy places to traffic with holy things with unholy purposes—dogs, who presently will go back to their vomit; swine, who presently will be back to their wallow­ing in the mire. Do not judge your fellow man hastily; but when a man has manifested his character do not give holy things to dogs, do not fling pearls before swine. Remember, if out of false love or pity you allow men of material ideals and worldly wisdom to touch holy things, to handle the pearls of the Kingdom, it won’t be long before they will turn and shred you. That is the whole history of Christendom's ruin, in the measure in which Christendom is ruined, turning the church over to successful business people. The Lord needs no leaders (Matt. 23:10), He seeks servants. There is only One in the church. He is in need of servants with hearts as such (Matt. 25:14). The church is not a business, it does not sell its wares for profit. There is a very clear distinction between the Church of God and Christendom. The Church of God is not a failure—the great holy entity in union with Him—but the outward manifestation is. We gave holy things to dogs. We imagined that when a Roman emperor espoused the cause of Christianity, it was a great thing. We cast the pearls of the Kingdom before swine; and the men who had to do only with the earthly things have turned again, and rent the outward manifestation of unity. If a brother stands out, makes choice against the will of God, and refuses the light, then we are to discriminate. There is a separation made within the borders of Christ's Kingdom, and, while we are to indulge in no censorious criticism and final judgment of our fellow man, if that man, judged by his own action and character, is unworthy, then we are not to give him holy things, we are not to cast our pearls before swine.