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.
o
Ephesians
6:12 – “we wrestle not against flesh and blood (physical), but against
principalities (demons) and powers (jurisdictions in the demonic realm) rulers
of the darkness of this world (ruling spirits)…”
How do we
get the eyes to see the spiritual realm? – The Fruit Test
· The Fruits of the Spirit – “love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…”
·
Does
this ____ display the Fruits of the Spirit? If it fails the Fruit Test, an
enemy spirit(s) is at work in that _______
·
Is it according to Torah (the
Works of the Flesh are of the enemy – and they are all Torah breaking)?
Wolves are multiplied in this dark world. They are
unknown to us by face, or claim, or position… yet they are discernable by their
fruits. We aren’t to fear them, but we are to proceed under the Headship of
Yahweh… Yahshua said, “do not give your
meat to the dogs (wolves)… do not give
your pearls to the swine”.
Yahshua is our Example in everything – and even He
didn’t try to teach everyone in every circumstance:
· Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and He was
afflicted, yet He opened not His Mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the
slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His
Mouth.”
·
Psalms 22:16-18
“For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they
pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and
stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my
vesture.”
· John 19:9-10 “And went again into the
judgment hall, and saith unto Yahshua, Whence art thou? But Yahshua gave him no
answer. Then saith Pilate unto Him, Speakest Thou not unto me? Knowest
Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, and have power to release Thee?”
Identifying
Dogs/Wolves come in two categories: The Fool; the one who does not worship
Yahweh (atheism, science, satanist, buddhist, muslim…)
What does
the Bible say about the Fool:
Psalm 53:1 – “…A fool says in his heart, ‘There is no
God.’ They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity, there is none who does
good.”
