Stop Casting Your Pearls Before Swine

 

Stop Casting Your Pearls Before Swine

By Lee Williams

 

In life, we will encounter friends who are like rare gems. They are positive and encouraging. They are always willing to lend a hand or bend an ear. They are cool, but they aren’t patsies either. They will tell you the truth whether you want to hear it or not. But, when they deliver the message it’s done with a sense of compassion, humility and love.

Then, there are those friends who are quite the opposite. These friends are negative, discouraging and argumentative. You never really know if you should call them friends, but you do so anyway out of habit or some sort of misguided obligation. Despite your better judgment, the so-called friendship continues. Until, one day, you come to the realization that it might be time to sever the relationship. It is a hard lesson to learn, but you must discover that some friendships are not supposed to last forever. They are only meant to last until you learn the lesson that God has for you.

God could be trying to teach you humility or endurance, but what he would never do is force you to sacrifice your self-esteem, self-worth and self-confidence for a relationship either platonic or romantic that is toxic. You know which relationships these are because they change something very unique about you. These are the friendships and relationships that leave you feeling empty, mentally drained, worn or used. If you find yourself, dreading interaction with that person then that relationship has reached its peak.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Therefore, if you find yourself pouring out all of this love and encouragement, or you find yourself offering time, advice, money, or anything of value, and that effort is not returned, then in essence, you are casting your pearls before swine. That goes against the word of God, and Jesus wants you to stop this behavior, immediately.

“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,” Matt. 7:6.

God only wants the best for you, and he wants you to have healthy and balanced relationships that lift you up -- not tear you down. No matter how much we feel that we may hurt someone’s feelings, we must honor God’s word. Get the lesson and walk away.

Don’t let unhealthy relationships keep you from the blessings God has in store for you. Keep your pearls for those who are worthy enough to receive them.