TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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. Matthew 7:6
Read: Matthew 7:6
Listen: Matthew 7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
In our three-week series called “Just Don’t,” we have looked at warnings Jesus gives at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Intermingled in these warnings are things Jesus tells his listeners to do. When he says, “Don’t worry,” he includes choosing to serve God (not the world) as our master and pursuing eternal treasures instead of earthly ones. Jesus wants us all to understand that experiencing the life he offers means doing what he says and “seeking first his Kingdom and righteousness.”
When Jesus says, “don’t judge, or you too will be judged,” he doesn’t mean we can’t look to see whether someone’s behavior is right or wrong. He says we need to do a heart and attitude check before we approach someone else. If necessary, then do so in love, kindness and care for that person who is also a child of God. Part of the heart check is recognizing our own destructive behaviors and yielding them to God before judging others.
Jesus closes with a word picture about boundaries. We need to be careful about giving corrections to others. He likens it to throwing something valuable (pearls) before wild animals that will trample them under and then turn on you. If we approach someone in kindness who doesn’t want to hear correction, it could end up in a hurtful situation. Jesus is saying to hold off and love from afar.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
There may be someone you know right now who needs to get their behavior right with God. Pray and ask God for his guidance, help and wisdom to make it clear if you should move forward with mercy or love them from afar.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Colossians 2.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
