In the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 7:6, Jesus Christ instructs His disciples with a profound proverbial saying: do not give what is holy to dogs, nor cast pearls before swine. This teaching, unique among the gospels, stands as an important principle delivered out of love, guiding His followers to make discerning judgments and avoid unnecessary trouble. The imagery of dogs and pigs evokes notions of uncleanness and detestation, representing certain individuals in the world who are unworthy of receiving sacred or valuable things due to their lack of appreciation or hostile reactions. Holy things, sanctified by God for His purpose, carry immense spiritual value, akin to the bones of a sacrifice that must not be desecrated by being thrown to dogs. Similarly, pearls symbolize objects of great worth, beauty, and permanence, often likened to wisdom or the precious truths of God's Word. Yet, pigs, driven by base desires, would trample such pearls into the mud, showing no regard for their excellence, just as dogs would profane holy things without understanding their significance. This teaching shifts the focus from interactions within the church to engagements with the outside world, specifically targeting a segment of society characterized by profound sinfulness. Jesus Christ warns that these individuals, metaphorically dogs and pigs, are likely to reject and trample underfoot the valuable teachings offered to them, and may even turn to attack the giver. Thus, He emphasizes the need for prudent judgment in sharing spiritual treasures, advising His disciples to assess whether a person or household is worthy of receiving such pearls of wisdom based on their reception and response. In Matthew 10:11-16, Jesus Christ further elaborates as He sends His disciples to preach, instructing them to seek out those who are worthy and to shake the dust off their feet when faced with rejection or hostility. He counsels them to be shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves, navigating the world with wisdom and peace, avoiding conflict with those who display profane unbelief or contempt for God's law. If met with abuse or vehement opposition, they are not required to persist, for such efforts would be futile against those whom God has not called. Instead, they should move on, preserving themselves from grief and danger, trusting that God will address such individuals in His time of judgment. This principle of discernment extends to personal witness in the world, where followers of Christ must evaluate interactions carefully, ensuring they do not cast their pearls before those who will neither value nor respect them. By heeding this command, they safeguard themselves from the pain of rejection and hostility, focusing their efforts where the message of God may be received with openness.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:6, 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. Some commentators have rearranged this to read, Do not give what is holy to the dogs, lest they turn and tear you in pieces; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet. Jesus wants consideration of how to conduct oneself in the handling of His Word. The pearl represents something exceedingly valuable, in this case, the Word of God. Jesus is teaching to be wise in how to choose to spread His truth to others. One must size up an audience and calculate whether it will be receptive or antagonistic. Peter writes that one should always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you, but God expects proper judgment in responses. One need not be afraid to speak God's Word to others, but one should be sensible with whom to share it. Jesus warns in John 16:2, The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. If the unbelieving world did this to Him, it will surely do it to His servants. Jesus expects consideration of those to whom one is speaking. If it is clear that they are not at all interested, so thoroughly ingrained in their false beliefs to disregard the truth, or hardcore atheists, then He tells one to back away, not getting involved in something that may hurt. There is still more to consider when answering someone who is not aligned with the truth. What Solomon writes in Proverbs 26:4-5 is sound advice on when one should answer others in these kinds of situations: Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. God wants development of the wisdom to know when to speak in response to a fool and when one should not. When confronted by an individual who proceeds to make his point with wild exclamations or outrageous ideas, that is, foolishly, one is not to answer him in kind. One should be careful not to respond in the same manner, descending to his level. Do not answer a fool foolishly. It is better to remain silent than to respond with equally crazy and illogical answers. God expects responses to matter and mean something. So, if the fool is incapable of receiving the truth, then the best thing to do is not to answer. On the other hand, if the issue is important, if silence would confirm to him what he is saying, and if a proper answer would set him on the right track, then, by all means, one should answer him in wisdom. Sometimes a wise answer might be to ask a pertinent question. Perhaps quoting a scripture or two that explains or even disproves what has been alleged is the best course. At other times, sheer logic does the trick. The apostle instructs to sanctify or set apart the Lord God in your hearts. This is the first and most important step: One must realize who one is responding for and fear and honor Him most of all with the response. At the end of I Peter 3:15, the apostle writes that one should answer with meekness and fear. In other words, one needs to hold emotions in check and not respond with anger, harshness, or hostility. Instead, one should express the Christian virtues of meekness and fear. One must treat opponents with dignity and humility, remembering one's place under God. Finally, answer just what was asked and nothing more. If one goes any further, one will probably open up more questions and perhaps more trouble. By practice of handling oneself in response to questions about God's Word, over time one will grow in the ability to deal appropriately with those who ask. As one does this, one should never forget that one represents God in the wisdom of responses, and if one does it well, there is great satisfaction.