I have found siblings, that the more I delve into a text, the more insights await me. So I’ve been learning more by feasting on Matthew 7:6 in tinier portions. That’s proof that we find God when we seek God with all our hearts. Of course, the converse is also true, failing to intentionally seek God, can result in taking God for granted. That carries consequences of its own. It’s something for us to think about as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Matthew 7:6 NIV
[6] “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Hard Comparisons 3
Sometimes when Y’shua spoke, it was hard to hear. The conviction and challenge in His words forced His audience – then and now – to face truths about ourselves that we didn’t want others to acknowledge or notice. I believe it was the bone of contention between Him and the religious leaders of the day. They didn’t enjoy the home truths Y’shua served with simple easy-to-access comparisons and parables. It may have cost Him His life, which He readily forfeited so we could have access to eternity.
Self-Check
How do we respond when Scripture convicts us?
Deeper Dive
Y’shua insisted that we ought to be careful with our spirituality, making dogs and pigs metaphorically to describe those whose lifestyles are steeped in idolatry. Y’shua explains that the consequences are dire. He reveals that the motives of dogs and pigs are to trample us underfoot and tear us to pieces.
Had we wondered about the spiritual roots of the dogs and pigs, their motives make it clear. Katapateó, the Greek transliteration of trample underfoot, also conveys the sense of rejection with disdain. These are individuals who hold God and God’s Word in contempt, and have chosen to lure others to their way of being.
Knowingly minimising God’s gift of salvation by giving persons with questionable spirituality authority over us can be detrimental to our spiritual health. Cases of leaders who abuse their flock abound in most countries. But others are more coercive – they subtly encourage us to compromise our values, then when we land in the piggery – eating leftovers from the swine feed – they mock us, asking us where is our God. That’s how we lose is saltiness as God’s salt of the earth!
Siblings, we must know in Whom we believe, why we believe in Him and what we believe about Him. For, being trampled underfoot was also a sign of being captive. Remember Samson? He took his spirituality for granted. Little did he know that he was literally setting himself up for captivity. He became a laughing stock, his eyes gouged out, hands in chains because he failed to guard what was Holy.
Our fate might not literally be as extreme as Samson’s, but he serves as a warning to us. There are experts on Scripture who will use it to tear us to pieces. Remember Genesis 3 – when the serpent convinced the woman to eat the forbidden fruit? She was encouraged to disdain God’s command, and so did Adam. The serpent’s lying encouragement tore their safe lifestyle to pieces, resulting in their banishment from God’s beautiful garden.
Thankfully, there’s grace.
Sin entered God’s garden, trampling the caretakers underfoot. But Y’shua, the second Adam, offers us perfect grace. John 17 tells us that Y’shua prayed for His disciples’ restoration in Gethsemane, the garden of suffering and intercession. As God transcends time and space, we know that the grace extended to Y’shua’s disciples carries over to us, saving us from ourselves and others. May we find that His grace is the antidote to being trampled underfoot.
Prayer Point
Lord, help us to fix our eyes on You, our Redeemer. Forgive us when we stray, and protect us from dogs and pigs sent by the enemy of our souls to deceive us. Cover and restore us to Yourself we pray dear Y’shua, amen.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
