Lesson 153. Do Not Give That Which Is Holy unto the Dogs

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives a most mysterious warning and command, which is not explained any further. We read 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.”

This appeal is worth examining in order to avoid the sad consequences that Christ also describes.

Love and friendship imply beautiful qualities of the soul which are pleasant for a converted person to possess and to manifest toward those around him. Meekness, innocence, trust, simplicity, kindness, and generosity—all these proceed from a loving heart and bring joy to the soul when there is an opportunity to share these fruits.

Jesus went through many things, and, having the life experience of observing people, He gives us this interesting warning.

“Give not” means that, having something, you should keep it to yourself.

That which is holy is something consecrated to God and rightfully belonging to Him. It must not be used for other purposes. In endowing me with Divine qualities of the soul, the Lord also gives me wisdom so that I may control this weapon and use it for its intended purpose. He gives understanding and leads us through life experience in order to teach each one of us intuitively to distinguish different types of people and to understand where we should speak and act, and where it is better to remain silent and leave.

A pearl is the most precious and very rare Heavenly treasure in the world; upon finding it, it is worth selling everything in order to obtain it. I think that in the message to Laodicea we are offered precisely that which may be called such a pearl.

Dogs and swine are animals which, in the time of Christ and to some extent in our own time, when they have no owners, gather in packs, live near populated areas, and feed on human waste. There are times when they attack people as well.

In our time, the concept of a dog has changed and is associated with a kind domestic animal that loves its owner and brings joy through its faithfulness and unconditional love. Their devotion and friendship are very often astonishing, and many representatives of humanity would do well to learn from them. “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee...” (Job 12:7).

But in ancient times these animals evoked fear and disgust, being very dangerous.

In the context of Scripture, this comparison points to a particular type of people among whom we are compelled to live.

One day, the counsel of Jesus that we are studying became completely clear to me when I plainly encountered such people.

There was a period in my life when, in 1999, I changed jobs and joined a construction company where two crews worked. In the simplicity of my heart, I was open and gladly shared my spiritual revelations and blessings with the new people. But over time, incomprehensible things began to happen.

One of the foremen very much enjoyed talking with me and asked many questions about spiritual and everyday matters. I gladly shared my knowledge and did everything required for the job. Other colleagues warned me to be careful in communicating with this man, but I did not understand what the problem was. In time, however, I began to notice that all my words, stories, and actions were being passed on in a distorted form. At first, the owner of the company was friendly toward me, but as time passed, he began making many accusations against me and saying very strange things to my face about me and my work. I was surprised and could not understand what was happening. But when I began hearing my own words about myself from my foreman with a distorted meaning, I realized that this man liked to roll everything in the filth of his worldview and present any information to other people in that form. And he did this very convincingly, without evil intentions, but simply because he did not know how to act otherwise.

At first, the second foreman was friendly and not very talkative, but in time he began taking out his indignation on me and finding fault with me for every possible reason. At times, the relationship became so tense that I felt as though I were on a battlefield. As a result, the situation came to physical violence, and I had to strike back, which I greatly regretted afterward. It was very painful for me to understand that I had allowed an evil spirit to take control of me and do me the service of solving all problems by a quick method. But I loved Jesus, and I wanted to be an exemplary Christian. I could not act according to the flesh, for I understood that this would bring me great suffering and pangs of conscience.

Working in such a society, I came to understand for myself who dogs and swine are and how careful one must be in communicating with them.

I take no pleasure in calling those around me by such names, but among them there are people with such a character, and we are unable to change this ourselves. I myself was like that when I did not know Christ, and now I never tell what I did in my godless life. When one possesses love, so many useful subjects and interesting revelations appear that there is no reason to return to filth and to the dog’s vomit (2 Peter 2:22).

Whom, then, did Jesus have in mind when giving us His counsel? Scripture provides a description of such people. We read in Psalm 22:16: “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”

The prophetic events that Christ was to experience are then described. And we know who was at Calvary that day and who shouted out the sentence upon the Son of God.

And who are these animals today? How can they be identified? They may be the people closest and dearest to me; they may be members of my family; and I may be the same. The Lord’s task is to cleanse me and then teach me to distinguish the clean from the unclean, so that I may see the contrast between darkness and light and choose that which is better.

Then the question arises: How can I love when such restrictions exist? How can I be a friend when such people are all around me? A little earlier, Jesus gave an answer to this question as well. We read in Matthew 5:44: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Do you see the manifestation of love in this command? I see it and experience the same.

Not giving that which is holy and not casting pearls means to me that it is necessary to be very careful in communication, to control every word, to avoid controversial subjects, and to remain silent concerning the area that will provoke rage or evil speaking. At the same time, it is important to be a loving friend and to speak the language of good deeds and courteous expressions. Love teaches this.

I will not change the world, but I can show it God’s love and my friendliness in response to attacks. And the Lord gives strength for this.

The Lord teaches us that we are His witnesses. How interesting it is to be a witness of God’s love! I allow the Holy Spirit to live in me and form God’s traits of character. I become one through whom He can reveal the Lord’s goodness and power to the world. I come to know that which was great and inaccessible to me, and I go into battle, allowing God to go before me and gain the victory.

And I begin to understand with my heart that there is a Divine Family, Who have become my Family and opened Their arms to me in order to make me Their son forever and live with me eternally.

And love is the presence of God in my heart, which brings joy, happiness, and peace.

“Give not.” It is worth heeding this as well.

1. What did you understand from this lesson?

2. How do you understand the meaning of the symbols of the dog and the swine? Who are they?

3. Why should that which is holy not be given unto the dogs? What is it?

4. How can we preserve love for people and remain obedient to Jesus’ warning?

5. What will happen if I nevertheless give that which is holy unto the dogs and swine?

6. Where is the boundary between friendliness and caution in relation to dangerous people?

7. Please read Psalm 22:18; Proverbs 20:19; 22:24; 24:21; Isaiah 56:10–12; Revelation 22:15; Proverbs 26:11; and 2 Peter 2:22 in the light of our lesson.