Daily Reflections From God's Word

Tag: Wisdom

  • When to Walk Away: Pearls, Pigs, and Pointless Arguments

    Matthew 7:6 NKJV – “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”

    There’s a difference between testifying and debating. One feeds the hungry. The other throws food to pigs. Jesus wasn’t being cruel when He said this—He was being strategic. He knew that not every heart is ready, and not every conversation is worth your breath.

    When I was in 8th grade, two brothers transferred into my school. They were “Christians,” at least in the loud, in-your-face sense. They carried Bibles everywhere, wore Jesus t-shirts, and they loved to argue—especially about doctrine. They were always looking for a fight. And one day they brought it to me.

    They started criticizing the holiness standards taught by my pastor—women wearing skirts, long hair, no makeup; men keeping short hair, modest dress, no tank tops. Their own hair was long and they honestly looked like slobs. They wanted to argue. Badly.

    Finally, one of them smugly asked, “What if, when you get to heaven, you find out all those rules weren’t necessary?”

    I wasn’t sure how to respond. So I shot up a prayer in my head and just asked the Lord for words. What came out surprised even me:

    “What if, when you die and face God, you find out they actually were necessary? What then?”

    And I walked away.

    No yelling.

    No debate.

    Just a simple, sobering question—and silence.

    I left them to think about it.

    That’s the wisdom of Matthew 7:6. There are moments when engaging is foolish. Some people aren’t hungry for truth—they’re hungry for conflict. They want to win, not learn. And when you try to hand something sacred to someone who only wants a fight, Jesus says you’ll get hurt. “They will trample it under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”

    Proverbs backs Jesus up on this:

    “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.” (Proverbs 9:7)

    “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” (Proverbs 23:9)

    “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.” (Proverbs 26:4)

    At some point, you’ve got to know when to plant seed—and when to shake the dust off your feet.

    And if you think that sounds harsh, look at Jesus. Sometimes He answered the Pharisees—usually with a parable or a piercing question that exposed their hearts. Other times? He said nothing. Just stood there. Silent. He knew the difference between a trap and a teachable moment. He wasn’t baited into endless arguments. He spoke truth with purpose—not performance.

    You don’t have to prove anything to a fool. The truth speaks for itself. Just make sure you don’t throw your pearls in the mud. They’re too valuable.

  • The Path to a Renewed Heart: Cultivating a Teachable Spirit

    There’s a timeless truth in Scripture about the beauty of a humble, teachable heart. In our fast-paced world, where opinions clash and pride often overshadows wisdom, embracing a posture of humility can feel countercultural. Yet, as Proverbs 1:5 declares, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.” This call to remain open to instruction and correction is not only a biblical mandate—it’s a practical pathway to spiritual maturity.

    I remember a season (seasons, if I’m truly honest)in my life when I thought I had all the answers. I clung to my ideas, dismissing any advice that challenged my worldview. But deep inside, I longed for something more—a transformation that only God could bring about. In that quiet moment of surrender, I recalled Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” That heartfelt plea was not just a request for forgiveness; it was an invitation for God to reshape me, to replace pride with a teachable spirit.

    Every day presents us with opportunities to learn and grow. Whether it’s through the gentle rebuke of a dear friend, the convicting words of Scripture, or the lessons hidden in life’s trials, God is always at work refining our hearts. The process isn’t easy—it’s often uncomfortable. Yet, it is precisely in those moments of vulnerability that our faith deepens, our character is strengthened, and our reliance on God becomes more pronounced.

    What does it look like to have a teachable heart? It means setting aside our self-reliance and admitting that we don’t have all the answers. It means welcoming correction with gratitude rather than resentment. When we do this, we allow God’s wisdom to flow into every aspect of our lives, transforming our perspectives and our relationships.

    As you navigate your journey of faith, I encourage you to lean into the discomfort of growth. Let each challenge be a stepping stone toward a more profound trust in the Lord. Remember that His ways are higher than ours, and His wisdom surpasses all human understanding. With every open, teachable moment, you’re becoming more like Christ—reflecting His love, humility, and grace.

    Let us pray for hearts that are always ready to learn and for the courage to embrace God’s transformative work in our lives. May we continually echo the words of Psalm 25:4-5: “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”