A Place for Discernment
“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)
Our Lord neither extols the virtues of gullibility (there are none), nor does He wink at a lack of discernment. To walk with God in a quiet, uncomplicated manner, sharing our faith with non-Christians, in no way suggests that we keep hammering away at stony hearts and indifferent wills.
The life-changing message of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is a treasure beyond price. While it is ours to claim and to share, we cheapen it by pressing the issue beyond sensible bounds. Face it; some individuals are impervious to spiritual riches. They are so debauched, senseless, hateful, and closed that their continued resistance and cynicism is signal enough to encourage the discerning to turn elsewhere. There comes a point when persisting is a waste of time and energy. To quote the prophet, “Ephraim is joined to idols; Let him alone” (Hosea 4:17 NASB 1995). We are never to give up hope, but we are wise to move on.
All this brings us to a penetrating principle implied in Jesus’ words: Discernment must temper our declaration. I am aware that endurance and faithfulness are qualities to be modeled by God’s people. No question, most of us were won over because someone didn’t quit when we resisted the offer of eternal life with God through Christ. Nevertheless, Jesus is teaching here that there will be occasions when perpetually closed minds need to be left on their own.
The soil of some souls is too hard for planting . . . which reminds me of an old Southern expression I was raised with: “You can’t get sap out of a hoe handle.” There comes a time when it is purposeless to persist. But you and I can continue to pray.
Taken from Simple Faith by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1991, 2003 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
