Pearls and Swine

Maintaining the disciplines of a spiritual life.

Christianity is a system of Faith that blossoms on routine. Just like any area of successful and sustainable human endeavour, consistency is the way to develop the critical energy that will transform your life as a believer.

Recently, I was meditating on Matthew 7:6 and I saw the scriptures in a brand new light that applied to dealing with our spiritual disciplines and values. Jesus was addressing the people and said “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.”. Holy things and pearls here represent precious things to the believer. There are some truths, some graces, character development and impartation that God accomplishes in you as a believer as you walk with Him. These things are valuable to God and to your growth and development in the kingdom; to the point Jesus called them pearls.

If you study how pearls are formed and how valuable they are, it will help you better appreciate what Jesus is instructing us to do. Pearls are fundamentally formed as a result of oysters working hard over a period to protect themselves from irritation. They work hard to secrete certain chemicals that become shiny (pearls) when hardened, to protect themselves from foreign substances that disturb their internal environment.

Pearls are formed through a painful and rigorous process by the animal but in the end, their hard work pays off as valuable pieces of jewellery. Just like the oyster, you will go through seasons of intense work on yourself. Where through various spiritual disciplines like fasting, praying extensively and studying the word, you will develop spiritual pearls. You will learn new truths, and acquire new graces and anointings from God. By reason of discipline, you will acquire new habits that will help you insulate yourself from things that irritate your spirit and life. You will develop the strength to overcome persistent temptations and character flaws. When you do this you gain a sense of mastery and liberty. These new habits, revelation, divine graces and impartation from the Spirit of God are pearls and holy things. They have been built into your spirit as precious systems of protection from sin, and the works of the flesh.

Having worked that hard, don’t come out of such seasons and cast away all restraints and turn around and start spending time with the things you worked hard to rid yourself of. That will be tantamount to casting your pearls before swine.

For example, a lot of believers have spent the major part of this first month (Jan 2023) fasting and praying. Cutting off food, movies and media. They have worked hard to destroy bad eating habits and consumption of obscene media. Some people have been able to break free from bad habits, lifestyle choices and received healing for diseases. But as the fast ends and it seems life is returning to normal there is a great danger of going back to the things you have overcome and rekindle interaction with pigs and dogs. Such that the victory Jesus worked out in you to cleanse your soul and life becomes the same entry point for demonic spirits to access you again and wreak havoc.

I beseech you by God's mercy, don’t go back to uncleanness and unwholesomeness. Stand with your spirit strong, light and healthy to run your race and fulfil the dreams of your heart this year. Don’t visit places that weaken your sensitivity to the things of the Spirit. Don’t go back to watching ungodly shows where all that goes on is foolishness, malice, gossip, and obscenity.

You have gained pearls through a lot of sacrifices. You now have Holy things committed to you. You have by God's help purged your soul and insulate yourself from worldly irritation. Don’t turn around and lay down in the mud with spiritual pigs and dogs. Largely symbolic of uncleanness due to gluttony or overeating and any form of sexual exposure outside the provision of God’s word.

If you don’t cast your pearls before swine or give your Holy things to dogs, they can’t access you or molest you as a believer. You are dignified, you carry pearls and Holy things in your soul and spirit. You are a priest in royal white spiritual garments, don’t turn again to the things you gained deliverance from. Make an intentional decision to protect your pearls. Protect the blessings you’ve gained, protect the grounds of spiritual and emotional growth you have covered. Protect the grounds you have covered in fasting and prayers and keep on rising higher from there.

Don’t drop the ball, and don’t relax your grip. Don’t cast your hard-earned pearls before swine or desecrate your Holy things. The Lord is alive, living and shining in you.

Till next week. Keep on experiencing and expressing the righteousness of God.