When I was a boy my father and I spent a lot of time in the woods together hiking, working his dogs and just hanging out. Well, I thought we were just ‘hanging out,’ but what I realize now is that a great Professor in the study of ‘Life’ was actually exposing me to the greatest college classroom experience I could ever have and I was learning great life lessons.  One day while following an old barbed wire fence trying to navigate out of a new patch of woods we were exploring, we came upon a large dog that had gotten himself trapped in the old fence and was wrapped up in the old, rusty barbed wire and was obviously enduring great pain and discomfort. With each twist and turn the old dog would whimper, whine and wail as the barbs dug deeper into his flesh.  Without hesitation my dad ran over to the hurting animal with the intention of freeing him and easing his pain. As we approached, the dog seemed to have almost a look of “Thank You” on his face and even let my father close enough to rub his head. But every time dad would attempt to remove the dog from its bondage, a deep growl would come from the dog and he would show his teeth with a fierce snarl that sent a chill down my spine. More than once the dog would snap at dad and tried his best to take a hunk out of his hands and arms.  The animal was turning on the very one who was trying to rescue him.  Read that sentence again: “The animal was turning on the very one who was trying to rescue him.”  Dad and I talked about it the rest of our trek through the woods. 

That is how some people are. You try to help them, and they turn on you. They’re trapped and all you’re trying to do is help, but before you know it they’re snarling and trying their best to take a bite out of you. This is the idea Jesus was speaking of in Matthew 7:6 when He said: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”  And just for clarification, I’m obviously not calling the people that won’t listen to counsel ‘pigs,’ but the fact is, sometimes people don’t want to hear what we have to say.  I’m sure you’ve found yourself in a position where you’re trying to talk to someone about your faith, and they have clearly turned you off and in many cases verbally told you they’re not interested and wished you would go away! The natural inclination is to press on and press in. And I know we do this because we desire they hear the truth about Jesus and give their life to Him, but if someone doesn’t appreciate the truths of God’s Word, if we keep pressing, we’re trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit and convince them of something on an intellectual level that must really happen on a spiritual level.

Right before Jesus was crucified the Bible says that He was brought before King Herod. And while He was in Herod’s presence, He did not say a word. Why? Because Herod didn’t want to hear the truth, and Jesus knew that so He kept His mouth shut.  Friend, there are some people who aren’t ready to hear or simply don’t want to hear the message of Jesus Christ.  But thankfully, there are other people who do! You and I need to pray for the discernment to know the difference. 

Pastor Jeff

pastorjeff@lwwconline.com