A Church That Doesn’t JudgeНамуна

The principal that we find in Matthew 7, verse 6, is beyond interesting: “Do not give to the dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs”. What does that mean in this context?

We live in a society where everything is simply said and dumped on social media. Even in our church or family circle we think it’s all too important that everyone knows our views -- and agrees, of course. This stems from our need to judge and to be thought of highly by others. You’ve probably met someone who constantly puts their views up for show. Does that help you connect with that person? It usually doesn’t, does it?

I think that this section is trying to tell us that we should be careful not to share everything that lives in our heart with everyone, always giving our opinion or indiscriminately hurling even good testimonies at people who can’t understand them yet.

We can share what lives in our heart with a small, trusted circle. We need wisdom to find brothers and sisters who don’t judge, but who help us discover and remove the specks through prayer and compassion.

With regards to our opinion, we would do well to ponder more often how necessary it is that we share our view. We can ponder what the other person could do with this information, or how it adds to the collective goal, as in in the church for example. Sharing our opinion is not a goal of its own. The Bible often says that we would do well to be more careful with our words, because they have power. Ask yourself how often you’ve said yes but done no. Or promised to pray for someone and didn’t. Exercising restraint is wise here. If you say yes, then let it be yes. If you can’t say it out loud and do it, it might be better to say nothing at all for now.

Even with the Good News we can often miss the point, especially when we resort to convincing. ‘This is so amazing; I don’t get why you don’t understand that!’ What are you actually saying there? ‘My perspective is better than yours.’ That isn’t what Jesus did. He was simply there. He stood beside those who could use His help. He didn’t judge and didn’t try to convince. He was so fully present and loving that, as if by itself, a movement started in the hearts of people. Take for example Zacchaeus, with whom Jesus ate (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus barely spoke a word about his corrupt habits. But when he was confronted with so much good will -- a principle we saw before -- evil simply could not make a stand.

So overcome evil by doing good. Let your yes truly be yes. When you realise how complicated and impactful this really is, you’ll start exerting more restraint and look into your own heart and mind automatically.

In what kind of situation do you tend to open your mouth too soon? Why? What would be a better way?