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Pearls and Swine - 10/25/2009 11:27:10 AM
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WhiteRoseBlessings
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The description of Theo House (the folder I chose to put this thread in): Just think of this as the Theology folder coffee shop. You'll find community interaction not of a theological nature.
Moderators, if at all possible, I would really appreciate this thread staying in Theo House. While the topic does have hints of a theological nature, my desire and intent in starting this thread is to have casual discussion to explore an idea; much the same way, people converse in coffee shops.
Thanks so much!
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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. ~~Jesus, during the Sermon on the Mount; via Matthew 7:6
Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words. ~~ St. Francis of Assisi (attributed)
I try to live my life as St. Francis has suggested, above.
I also have quite a few non-yet-Christian friends; and many such friends have often told me that appreciate that I don't "Bible-thump" them.
To me, I've never seen the productivity in doing so. I have found that most people who do not claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior are simply not going to be interested in hearing His Words; at least, they're certainly not going to take them to heart and make them part of their lives.
If someone asks specifics, I'm always willing to discuss why I am a Christian, how one can give their lives to Our Lord and/or any other myriad topics revolving around Christianity. If I'm not asked, I don't talk about it.
That's not to say that people don't know exactly where I stand; they do.
They also know that I pray for them; and amusingly, they sometimes even ask me to pray for them. I'm always happy to do so.
Having said all that, I'd like to discuss Matthew 7:6 in a different light than normally is done. I'd like to talk about the possible correlation between Jesus' admonishment and St. Francis' suggestion.
The end of that Scripture does indeed, tell us what will happen if we do, in fact, cast our pearls before swine or if we give to dogs what is Sacred. I read this Scripture as being an admonishment and a suggestion as to how to protect something so completely treasured and so deeply cherished - our belief in Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In addition, it's very off-putting to be "preached at" when one isn't interested in learning or hearing about Jesus. Actually, personally, I find it very off-putting even as a Christian to be "preached at". Discussions; yes . . . being held prisoner while someone decides to relay to me the full extent of their Biblical knowledge without any hint of my being able to participate in such discourse; absolutely not.
Getting back to the possible similarities between the two quotes above, I believe there's another reason why Jesus said what he said; and I think part of why St. Francis said what he said is part of that reason.
Actions speak much louder than words. I can (and should) always live my Christian life; regardless of who I'm with at any given moment. I can do this without even saying a word. Anyone believer can. My friends (both Christian and those not yet) know I pray for them. They know my "stance" on Jesus. They know my love for Him.
When the time is ready (when Our Lord's Spirit calls them), they'll either ask me to expound more, they'll ask someone else -OR- they'll seek the information on their own.
I'd like to hear y'all's thoughts on the similarities between the two quotes I listed near the beginning of this post.
Please keep this thread civil and free of bickering and snide, arrogant remarks. Different viewpoints are welcomed here. Passionate opinions are even welcomed (and encouraged). However, please leave any anger and self-righteousness outside; neither belong here.
After all, we're simply having a discussion over a cup of coffee; we're not downing shots of Tequila looking for a fight. 
His Peace and His Joy, y'all!
Sharon-Marie
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❖ Let's Discuss the Advent Season ❖
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RE: Pearls and Swine - 10/25/2009 11:30:05 AM
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WhiteRoseBlessings
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Incidentally, I am not saying that non-Christians are automatically dogs or swine. That's not the direction I want this thread to go in, please.
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❖ Let's Discuss the Advent Season ❖
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RE: Pearls and Swine - 10/25/2009 12:55:24 PM
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Bluethread
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It is always wise to consider one's audience. One does not hand a loaded gun to a child. We are also told to be circumspect in our behavior. We need to act in ways that bring glory to Adonai.
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"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: Pearls and Swine - 10/25/2009 1:03:19 PM
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car2ner
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Since actions speak louder than words, I try to let my behavior and choices do the preaching "at all times", being an example of Christian love. Once someone gets to know me better then they are more likely to weigh my words by how I live them out, if we discuss religion, faith, etc.
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http://car2ner.imagekind.com
"May your days be long and your hardships few".
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RE: Pearls and Swine - 10/26/2009 8:16:43 AM
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stamper_ben
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There are those who you know are not going to hear or see the Good News of the Gospel. That doesn't mean we should not show that Christ-like image to them and all others all the time.
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We will be known as His by the love we show one another.
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RE: Pearls and Swine - 10/26/2009 12:21:58 PM
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sirwintery
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I hope I'm not straying too far off your point, Sharon-Marie, as I offer my two cents...
I would say "Do not facilitate or provoke or bring about what you would know to be swine behavior."
How foolish would we be to say "Could you trample my pearls some more today, please?"
Long ago in my teens I had fused "turn the other cheek" with a kind of stoicism and made a Christian pacifism which I have left behind as un-Scriptural. If one tosses the pearl of faith in Christ to be trampled, how it cheapens it, reduces the value. So my attempt at being always passive did not show itself as God's mercy and forgiveness but more of cowardice or stupidity.
Whether by showing ourself without words or whether we are forced to engage with other people in some way, we should do so in a way that will still protect what is sacred.
I hope I didn't make that too hard to understand.
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RE: Pearls and Swine - 10/26/2009 2:46:16 PM
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car2ner
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I understood and I find it interesting that you see that some inaction by Christians isn't "turning the other cheek" but somewhat cowardly. I do wonder sometimes if God tells us to take action but we sit back and wait for Him to move. And we think we are being faithful and holy and kidding ourselves.
That is why it is so important to pray for wisdom!
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http://car2ner.imagekind.com
"May your days be long and your hardships few".
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RE: Pearls and Swine - 10/30/2009 2:58:45 PM
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Lapidoth
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I have never found the full impact of Jesus' statement.
Probably because it's clouded by all the sermons, teachings,
opinions, etc. of everyone before us.
Until I find that full meaning I pretty much agree with everyone
else about living it and not pushing it.
And I think I may have had some of the same experiences as
sirwintery in what he was saying......lol.
I think even in these forums there are times we just have to
pull back and leave certain posters alone. They are usually
not christians but enjoy trying to make christians look like
idiots.
I think most of us are aware of those who just sit back waiting
for the words to come out of our mouths that they can just
pounce upon. This includes christians and non-christians.
This is one of those back-burner passages.
You think you have a good handle on it, but
there seems to be something much deeper than we can see.
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Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
http://www.tedpearce.com/Videos/TheForgottenpeople.html
BARUCH HABA BASHEM YAHUAH
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RE: Pearls and Swine - 10/30/2009 5:20:30 PM
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WhiteRoseBlessings
Posts: 18171
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"Back-burner passages" . . . I like that!
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