Spiritual Discretion - Dogs and Swine
Matthew 7:6
– “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls
before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend
you.”
Discretion
is Required in Carrying Gospel - We are called to carry forth the Gospel Commission to the
whole world (Elijah Message – Malachi 4:1-4; Everlasting Gospel – Torah)… But we aren’t to give it to “dogs” or
“swine”… So obviously, we must discern these heart conditions clearly, when
they are present… When present it’s a
prayer matter, not a time for dumping the whole Truth.
To have
discretion we must have eyes to see what is – beyond what we want to see,
beyond the blindness of self-projection…
Perspective
on Christianity vs the kingdom of Darkness:
In
Scripture, the soul is likened to city… which has walls of protection, defined
as Yahweh’s Rule (Torah)
· Proverbs
25:28 He that hath no rule over his own
spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without
walls.
· An
ancient city’s first line of protection/defense against enemy invasion was its
walls.
· The
response to a physical enemy invasion gives us a picture of a wise response to
a spiritual enemy invasion.
Matthew
7:15-16 – “Beware
of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of
thorns, or figs of thistles?”
· Dogs and wolves are “ravening” and
can come in disguise – in sheep’s clothing… The sheep are Yahweh’s true
people… So dogs can be professing
followers of Yahweh (Paul – Saul)
· Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep
in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as
doves.”
o
“Wise as Serpents” – refers to practical wisdom, prudence and discernment… So we are
called, by the Spirit of Yahweh, to have understanding and sound judgment –
necessary to act prudently.
§ Discerning Spirits - To be “wise as serpents” refers to
the our ability to see the spiritual realm for what it is (Satan took the form
of a serpent) this protects us from being deceived or taken in by the wolf in
sheep’s clothing…
· Test the Fruits against the Fruits of
the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)… if the
Fruit (attitudes, behaviors, spirit) fails the Fruits Test, it’s the enemy at
work!
§ See the spirits at work!
o
“Harmless as Doves” - But it is not enough to only be “wise as serpents.” The mission of
serving Christ in the world also requires disciples to be “harmless as doves.”
The Greek word translated “harmless” means, literally, “unmixed,” (sacred vs
profane) and was used to refer to such things as pure gold or unmixed wine. In
the New Testament, it is employed figuratively of moral purity and integrity
(Romans 16:19; Philippians 2:15).
§ In Bible times, the dove was symbolic
of purity, faithfulness, and guilelessness. The dove represented the purity of
Christ Himself, as it was also the only bird that could be offered as a
sacrifice. Thus, in order for us to be “harmless as doves” we need to be above
reproach, by His Grace. We must be Scripturally grounded and filled with the
Spirit. As these essentials are in place, we will be quickly discerning of our
cunning, wolf-like adversaries, but will never stoop to the ethics or
activities of our enemies.
o
It
is through being wise as serpents and yet harmless as doves that we are enabled
and empowered to advance the Kingdom of God without being taken out by wolves.
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