“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

I can remember a time in my life having a conversation with someone I loved deeply and crying, literally tears streaming down my face as I offered over and over the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus saying “Don’t you want life and life abundant?” and their response was not what I expected.

Rather than jumping to receive the gift, they rejected and turned away.

Not everyone who hears about Jesus will embrace his gift. Some will even hate you for offering it.
(Side note: I do NOT recommend this evangelism technique, it’s awkward and weird.)

The Gospel, the most precious jewel of life, won’t be desired by everyone.

There will come a time in your life, if it hasn’t already, when you will have to turn and walk away. At some point though we share and offer our pearls, we have to realize not everyone will receive it.

Jesus even told Peter in Matthew 10:14, that if he is in a household that doesn’t receive the good news, to shake the dust from his feet and move on.

I don’t like this. I don’t like Jesus advice here. I don’t like thinking that some will reject Christ. Deep down, I want to know that if I just talk enough, and explain clearly, and cry people will listen and hear and desire Jesus!

But the reality is, not everyone will accept this precious pearl. At some point, we have to realize when we are talking to others, if they begin to reject or hate or oppose, it may be best to shake the dust from our feet.

This doesn’t mean we stop loving or stop relationship with them, it just means having enough to discernment to know when someone is closed off from God. Our job as peacemakers and evangelists is not to force feed, but to cultivate a hunger and a thirst for God.

If our actions seem to give someone distaste in his or her mouth for the LORD, we need to remember this verse. We need to remember too much salt is disgusting, and shining light directly in someone’s eye is painful. We salt and shine, we speak and offer, but we can’t force others to eat and enjoy.

We have to walk in wisdom and know when it’s time to pull back and walk away.

1. According to these verses, will everyone who hears about Jesus embrace the Gospel? What are we to do if they don’t?

2. Have you experienced a time when someone tried to force-feed you? How did that make you feel?

3. Is there someone in your life who you desire to know Jesus? How can you continue to love them without force-feeding?