Bible Discussion Thread

What Proverbs says about associating with sinners seems to conflict with the New Testament and how it says to treat sinners.

For example I understand the parable of not casting your pearls before swine to mean that you shouldn't treat people like swine yet proverbs says not to mettle with these types.

Please explain.

Thank you!

Hi Joe , for me , there are two groups of people in this world , Christians and none Christians . I view every non Christian as a potential Christian and I therefore try to treat them with kindness and respect . These are probably what most of us think of as sinners . Unless we live on a dessert island or in a closed community of Christians , we are going to come into contact with non Christians . It's not really a Christians place to judge others , though we should defo not be spending more time with them than we need to , for example , if your non Christian workmates want you to go to a casino with them you should probably say no . It's not about judging people as sinners , it's about you , protecting yourself from possibly bad influences and not being confirmed to this world . Somewhere in proverbs it says something like : you shall not follow a group to commit evil . You have to protect yourself from worldly influences while also being a kind and gentle person towards those who are not Christians , because maybe you will be able to introduce them to their Saviour at some point in the future . It's a balancing act , first and foremost you should protect yourself . Find yourself plenty of Christian friends and may God bless you .

Amen! Thank you very much. The Lord is ministering to me through you today. I needed this.

Thank you so much. I appreciate your response. Are you a Pastor?

Joe

Hello Joe. Both the Proverbs & the NT speak of disassociating ourselves from sinners (e.g. Proverbs 22:24; Ephesians 5:11), and the emphasis in the NT is that we are to love all men even as God does, sending His Son for us all. But Jesus adds a command in Matthew 7:6, "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."

The understanding of this verse, is that Jesus is speaking about the most precious things of the Kingdom, things that are not only beyond fallen man's understanding, but also things that will be perceived as garbage. So Jesus speaks of "that which is holy", referring back to sacrificial times of sacred offering before God, or of the sacred implements used in the service of the Temple which couldn't be handled by non-Levites. Likewise, "neither cast ye your pearls before swine"; the very costliest of jewels of Divine Truth were to be treated carefully & given out judiciously.

Dogs are known for their ferocity when angered, while pigs, for their contentment in wallowing in filth. The imagery is given here of wicked people, who ought to be conscious of their sin & seeking healing for their souls (even as John the Baptist was baptizing only those who so indicated), but these others here continued in their wickedness & filth, having no desire of healing Truth, rather expressing fierceness to it, or being content in living out their evil desires. To these people, Jesus says 'avoid them', for they show by their response & behaviour, that Kingdom life is not what they're seeking - their soul's destiny is not their concern - the response you'll get is ridicule & violent acts against you. So, save those holy words/offerings from these, but give the Good News of the Kingdom to those who are keen to give ear & who consider their own needs & of everlasting life.