Matthew 7:6 Don't cast pearls before swine......

[awalt]

Under the Mosaic Law dogs and swine were unclean animals and here the terms are used to depict wicked people. When we meet vicious people who treat divine truths with utter contempt and respond to our preaching of the claims of Christ with abuse and violence, we are not obligated to continue to share the gospel with them. To press the matter only brings increased condemnation to the offenders.

Needless to say, it requires spiritual perception to discern these people.

[sparkle]

Originally Posted by awalt

Needless to say, it requires spiritual perception to discern these people.

Yes, sometimes they're in your own family or workplace!!!!!

[lily20]

Originally Posted by sparkle

Yes, I know what you mean. Sometimes it seems to take some effort first, before you really realize that you're casting pearls before swine. Once you realize it, then it's the "all you can do is pray".

I have some very nasty relatives who have nothing but negative things to say about the RCC, yet they continue to pester me and ask questions, then when I answer them, they throw another dart. I've finally said to myself it's not even worth it to entertain a discussion with them any more. I will pray for them, now it's the Holy Spirit's job to take it from here.

I agree with this!

[COPLAND 3]

This is from St. Thomas Aquinas commentary on Matthew

It ought to be observed, therefore, what is signified by ‘holy’ and what is signified by ‘pearl.’ Augustine says: “Holy things are kept inviolate and immaculate; and precious pearls ought not to be despised.” By ‘dogs,’ which tear with their teeth, heretics are signified; by ‘swine,’ which trample with their feet, the unclean are signified. Therefore, to give holy things to dogs is to administer holy things to heretics. Likewise, if something spiritual is consecrated, and this is despised, it is given to swine. Or, by ‘holy things,’ the ecclesiastical sacraments are signified; by ‘pearls,’ the mysteries of truth are signified. A dog is an entirely unclean animal; a pig is partly unclean, and partly not unclean. By ‘dogs,’ the infidels are signified; by ‘swine,’ the bad faithful are signified. Therefore, Give not that which is holy to dogs, that is, do not give the sacraments to infidels. The ‘pearls,’ that is, the spiritual interpretations, ought not to be given to swine; “The sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God” (I Cor. 2, 14), that is, lest they despise them; “A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb” (Prov. 27, 7). Hence, turning, to sins, they tear, because they despise, or they raise objections. But why? Did not Christ say many things to the infidels, and they were trampling upon His words? I say that He did this for the sake of the good men who were with the bad men, who thereafter were profiting.

[feed me]

Originally Posted by sparkle

Yes, sometimes they're in your own family or workplace!!!!!

Yep, and one of them is my boss.