Friday, November 19, 2010

Matthrew 7:6

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Have you ever had the experience of trying to help someone and had them respond in anger?
You were trying to help, you were giving them the wisdom of your experience, you were trying to help them avoid the cost or pain of making a mistake, but they responded ungratefully.
Someone once said that the only lesson people learn is the lesson they learn for themselves. This might not be completely true, but it is true enough to be considered anytime we want to help someone.
Whenever we see a person in trouble or in need of help and we step in to save them, we are in danger of having our help thrown back at us, our care returned with hate.
This is equally true of the truths of God when we impart to someone God's truth when they have no desire to hear.
So a first step we might take is to ask ... Does this person indicate a desire to learn or grow? If not, is there something I can do (eg ask a question) that gives them an opportunity to recognise an area they want to grow in?
If there is a desire to grow then ask ... Is there a way I can empower this person to discover an answer?
Perhaps this is why so often Jesus told a story and didn't provide an explanation of the meaning?
If you want to influence someone and not be seen as interfering spending time thinking and doing things that will raise the quench for help is better than jumping in with an answer.
So, is there a quench in your life?

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