Dogs, a scorner, the wicked, the swine, the heathen, the backslider, the evil-doer: all have one common denominator—sin. They sin willfully. They know what sin is. They understand what disobedience to God is. Some of these have lived according to the truth and were once converted. These now are at enmity with God. They live according to the world’s standards and enjoy what they are doing.
God says never to give that which is holy unto the dogs. We are not to give our pearls to swine. We are not to reprove a scorner. Nor should we rebuke the wicked or sit with the scorner or live by the counsel of the ungodly. Neither are we to stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. Nor should we consent to go with sinners who entice us (ask us, tempt us, pressure us).
They know we stopped living a certain way. They have seen real change. Yet they ask, “Don’t you want some of this?” Or, “Don’t you want to go?” Always, it’s someplace where they know we no longer go.
On God’s holy seventh-day Sabbath, they invite us to do something or to go somewhere that is contrary to God’s commandment to keep the day holy. ”Taste this,” they say. “God does not care.” Then when we stand by our faith and in the power of God refuse, they add, “You are being extreme.” There are many more examples, but you get the bottom line.
Matthew 7:6 KJV 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.
Psalm 1:1 KJV Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Proverbs 9:7, 8 KJV He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Acts 13:45-46 KJV
[45] But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. [46] Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
These give in to what self wants and desires: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life. But hear this. These are not just those who are Gentiles, choosing to live by the world’s standards. These are not only the many heathen, who are professing God. Many of these persons are one’s own spouse. They were the righteous, but turned away from righteousness to commit iniquity. (Ezekiel 3:20; 18:24-26; 33:18). These have a knowledge of the truth, even lived it, were converted, but chose later to turn away from the truth as it is in Christ. Many of these knew better, but by compromising Truth, yielding to temptation, and giving in to sin, they gave Satan control of their minds. Satan then also stole their faith, blinded them to truth, and they became dumb dogs.
They turned away from righteousness. They know truth, or at least have some knowledge of it. They were even convicted of truth, but chose to turn away from God. They went back to their vomit; but they continue to profess belief in Christ. Because they deny Him daily in their lives and in their thoughts (for what a man thinks, he is), they are taking the name of the Lord God in vain. This is not loving God. It is hating God. Let that sink in.
Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV
[4] For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, [6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
2 Peter 2:19-22 KJV
[19] While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. [20] For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. [21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. [22] But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
We love sinners. Yes. we must love sinners. They are people who need to know the love of God. Yet, we ought never to sit down to listen, watch, or to take part in their doings. How do we do this? you might ask. We do this by compromising God’s will, His Word, His love to preserve our relationship for the sinner’s sake or our own sake.
Christ never compromised God’s law. He never compromised sound doctrine, or His Word, instruction in righteousness, His culture, His religion. He never disobeyed His Father (God the Father). He never sinned. He never compromised to befriend sinners. It was never His desire to make sinners (whether backslider, Gentile, hypocrite, heathen, mother, father, sibling, children, kinfolk, etc.) feel comfortable in their sin. Never. But listening to other voices while disregarding God’s voice, we have, and many still do.
As they compromise, God’s professed people claim these:
“But Jesus ate with sinners!”
“But Paul said he became like them!”
“How are they going to get to know God, know about the Lord, His holy Sabbath, if we don’t go to their events, parties, reunions, weddings, etc., on God’s holy Sabbath?”
“How are they going to know we sincerely care about them, if we do not agree with them?”
“We just need to love them.”
These all err in the Scriptures, having no understanding. They know not the power of God.
Yes. It is true. Jesus sat and ate with sinners, but only with those who chose Him or were willing to receive Him.
We who are covered with Christ’s righteousness were once sinners as well. But we chose by faith to answer His call and accept His gift of salvation. He covers us with His righteousness. By His power (His grace) we are saved and hear and do His Word, His will. By it we are delivered from sin; we receive salvation.
Read what Christ told His disciples to do, if they came to those who would not receive them. What was the end of those souls who refused His disciples? The same applies, if people refuse God through His people today:
Matthew 10:11-18 KJV
[11] And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. [12] And when ye come into an house, salute it. [13] And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. [14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. [15] Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. [16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. [17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; [18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. We will know by the same discernment Christ knew:
1 Corinthians 2:11-16 KJV
[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. [15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. [16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Let that sink in.
God is clear. If the backslidden, if the hypocrites, the sinners, workers of iniquity do not turn back to God, to righteousness, we are not to keep going to them, responding to their inquiries, debating with them. If we do, they turn and rend us!
They turn our words around. We fall by arguing with them. This brings shame and not glory to God.
We are to love them by praying for them, by feeding and clothing them, if they have the need and are receiving of our help. God gives us the ability to help them both spiritually and physically. And interceding in prayer for them gives God permission to do His will that they might be saved. I say might, because it is conditional. They have to choose to surrender their will, their all to God. God will not override one’s own choice. Remember, God knows our heart. We do not.
The bottom line is, God has warned His children, His people to not fellowship with, associate with, join ourselves to, marry, enter into contract with, eat (dine) with, hang out with those who do not choose to receive Him, the Truth, or the Gospel.
You see, God abides in those who abide in Him. Therefore, if His very presence in His people causes others to reject them, it must be taken seriously that they are rejecting God.
They may say or imply their rejection in these ways: “They think they are holier than thou.” “They act like they’re the only ones gonna be saved.” “What’s wrong with her/him? She/He can’t take a joke?” “They always got an attitude, always asking questions about the food. Why can’t they just order and eat?” “Heaven is not eating nor drinking.” ”They are always bringing God into the conversation; it is so annoying.”
They tend to feel guilty around Christians. They feel watched as they are eating or making their choices from the menu. They feel judged, even when they aren’t being judged.
The truth is they have already condemned themselves as workers of iniquity. They are looking for the opportunity to rend God’s people. The truth is, if you answer their questions, many times they become angry and want to debate back and forth.
In reality, the Christian is often looking to be quietly left to his or her own choices, rather than being made the center of everyone’s attention. Often, they just want to be supported, encouraged in their choices. And yes. Some are just trying to encourage their loved ones to change for a healthier lifestyle. No child of God will encourage wrongdoing or unhealthy living.
Yet, everyone must be left to their own choices. That is God’s will. Everyone must be free to choose.
Avoid debates. Some are only asking questions to set a snare for you. Many want to debate, argue, get angry. The spirit of Satan drives them. Again, spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
2 Peter 2:10-16 KJV
[10] But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. [11] Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. [12] But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; [13] And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; [14] Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: [15] Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; [16] But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
Study this out:
John 6:37-40 KJV
[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. [38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. [39] And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. [40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:44-51 KJV
[44] No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. [45] It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. [46] Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. [47] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. [48] I am that bread of life. [49] Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. [50] This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. [51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:53-58 KJV
[53] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. [54] Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. [56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. [58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
John 6:63-65 KJV
[63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. [64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. [65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
John 6:70-71 KJV
[70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? [71] He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Let us choose by faith to love God because He first loved us. Let us trust Him to do His will in us: to deliver us from sin, to give us His power, His Spirit to live His righteousness (right doing). Thus we will have His mind in us: the hope of glory. Those who want to know God, to know Truth—they will indeed. Those who choose not to believe in Jesus or do His Word are to be left alone. God gives them their choice. Period.
Let that all sink in.