CASTING ONE'S PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

Introduction

Wisdom is something which escapes the majority of men. Most people think in the short term. They do not see that what they do today will effect them in the future. They live for the present moment. They believe that they can avoid future punishment by taking a short cut today. They do not want to face up to reality. They live in an utopian world where there are no consequences to their actions.

Older men should have developed a certain amount of wisdom based upon their previous experiences. I have heard many people say that they have made a lot of mistakes. This is good to recognize the fact that one has made errors. This is not, however, the key to this situation. The main thing is that you have learned from these previous miscues and now, you are not making the same miscalculations. In other words, you are using wisdom rather than foolishness.

Only a fool continually repeats the same behavior that has caused him to come under sanctions. These are the type that never learn. They will also not accomplish much in their lives. They will shift the blame to others every time for their misfortune. They are not smart enough to see that they caused their own misery and take the necessary steps to rectify the situation. They are the ultimate blind leaders leading the blind to the ditch of their destruction.

Their ethics are of their own making. They do not realize that they live in a world where the laws have already been established. Therefore, they must suffer under the lash. Proverbs is the book of wisdom. We find this insight in Proverbs 26:3, "A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back." If someone cannot discipline themselves, someone else must. A whip and bridle, therefore, are instruments of training. A rod is designed to be used on a fool’s back. It is also a waste of time because the fools refuse to be instructed and reform. It is still necessary to let him know that he is not the ultimate authority, as he thinks that he is.

Application

The Lord Jesus Christ told us in 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." The Lord is not here speaking about literal dogs and swine. He is referring to human beings. He is in essence saying that we should discern what to say to certain individuals. At times, it is better to say nothing because they will not listen and anything said to these individuals will only cause them to come to resent you.

They do not like wisdom but foolishness. They love it. They wallow in it the same way that a swine does. Dogs and swine have in common that they will eat almost anything. These will eat foolishness because they lack discernment to tell the difference. They call junk food nutritious. They do not take to time to reflect and to take a hard look at who they truly are. They are the same of James 1:23, "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." They do not know themselves, all the while they claim advanced knowledge. This is the height of foolishness right out in the open. So what else is new?

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:12, "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." In other words, when we set others as the standard, we have established a false standard. The true standard is God’s law. This is what we must compare ourselves against. We are not as Peter was before Pentecost in John 21:20-22, "Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." Peter here wanted to compare himself against another man. The Lord Jesus Christ would not allow him to do such. He told Peter that he was fool comparing himself to another man. Peter missed the true standards, as do all fools.

All fools believe that they establish truth. They are self deceived. So when is it appropriate to say anything to these mules? Proverbs 26:4-5 gives us the answer, "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." These verses on the surface seem to be contradictory. In actuality, the context gives us the sense of these verses. We should not answer a fool by using personal attacks. This is how one becomes like a fool. A fool refuses to face up to his behavior, as he seeks to deflect attention from himself. They will always attempt to confuse the issue at hand.

At least once, a wise man should confront a fool in his folly. Unless a fool is contradicted, he will believe that he is correct in his thinking and actions. Resistance is a good thing. Fools are not known for their reflective thinking. They do not choose to contemplate their actions. They are extremely superficial. The law of contradiction is always in effect. It says that someone will believe something unless otherwise contradicted. Dale Carnegie taught this principle and I have found it to be so. Contradiction is used to make a wise man out of a fool. It is appropriate at times to refute fools.

Conclusion

The Bible is a divinely inspired book of contrasts. The main contrast is that of wisdom and foolishness. The examples of the Bible are replete with men of wisdom and their counterparts, the fools. The question that ultimately needs to be answered is, "Which are you?"