Your Pearls: Spiritual Discernment

“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 then turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

Words like these have always been unsettling for me. They seem so harsh and judgmental that, for years, I often felt they simply didn't sound like something Jesus would say. Consequently, I would consciously read right past them without pausing to reflect. But over time, they have begun to resonate deeply.

Many years ago, I was in a little “mom-and-pop” restaurant in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with a few fellow church members. Revivals were incredibly popular in our area at the time, and the church I attended was very fundamental. The food had just arrived at the table, and after a brief pause, one of our companions began to quite audibly “tink” his fork against the side of his water glass. Within seconds, the entire restaurant went silent, and all eyes were fixed on him. He then proceeded to say grace for the entire room. Needless to say, we were mortified. Most of the patrons were blind-sided—some with their heads bowed in a semi-connected form of respect, some visibly irked by the intrusion, and others downright disgusted.

This is a clear example of Jesus’ “proceed with caution” warning. A well-meaning but poorly thought-out action can easily play out badly.

While His statement in Matthew 7:6 does come off as harsh and judgmental, that was not His intention. When considered in the larger context of being the striking conclusion to a teaching on judging others, the verse becomes far more clear. As believers, we are often tempted to offer the world what we think it needs. But when that impulse comes from a place of self-righteous judgment rather than Christ-like love, the wheel can quickly come off the wagon. 

In the preceding verses, Jesus revealed that the very urge to concentrate on the faults of others is actually the plank in our own eye. Most often, we focus outward to avoid dealing with our own corrupt state; it is a twisted but fleeting way of feeling temporarily better about ourselves. When we act out of this subconscious, misguided level of superiority, we are sure to mishandle holy things. We lift up what is sacred before those who have no context or desire for it, stripping the Gospel of its beautiful, inviting intimacy.

Thomas à Kempis, a fifteenth-century monk, said it best in The Imitation of Christ: “Turn your attention upon yourself and beware of judging the deeds of other men, for in judging others a man labors vainly, often makes mistakes, and easily sins; whereas, in judging and taking stock of himself he does something that is always profitable.”

Jesus offers us a masterclass on proactive spiritual discernment in His contrasting trials before Pontius Pilate and King Herod. He actively engaged with Pilate, whom He recognized as trapped in a genuine dilemma and wrestling with the heavy weight of justice. Jesus therefore answered his questions because Pilate's heart—as twisted as it might have been—was trying to work things out. But before Herod, Jesus was ominously silent. Herod was not interested in truth; he was simply thrilled to have this miracle worker in his court, and entertainment was all he cared about. Jesus knew exactly when to speak and when to hold His peace. He proactively avoided casting sacred pearls of the Kingdom before someone who merely thought of them as a cheap novelty.

It is just human nature for people to be offended by uninvited religious intrusion. When we thrust sacred pearls into situations out of pride rather than Christ-like love and prayerful discernment, the world quickly pushes back, focusing on our hypocrisy and exposing our faults. That is when Jesus’ warning about getting trampled and torn to pieces truly comes home to roost.

Jesus is urging us to recognize that the lion’s share of the work will forever be in our own hearts and minds, and that is where we must prayerfully keep our focus. The sacred pearls of truth are best applied to our own lives first. Then, through patience, humility, and a sincere example, we can prayerfully BE the change we hope for in others and the world. Matthew 7, in its proper context, is a call to protect what is precious in all that we do.

Father, Deliver us from self-righteousness. Replace it with deep spirit-led discernment to know when to speak Your truth with boldness, and when to guard it with holy silence. Teach us how to be inviting reflections of Your grace for the sake of the Gospel. Amen.