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MATTHEW 7: 6

"DlSCRIMlNATlON"

I. CLOSING STATEMENT OF JUDGMENT.
        A. Seeming contradiction here.
                1. Yet if exposition correct, judging as condemning correct logical sequence.
                2. Without verse 6, false conclusions might be drawn.
                3. In trying not to judge there would be no discrimination at all.
                        a. There could be no church discipline.
                        b. No exposing of heresy, for fear of judging.
        B. Wonderful balance of scripture.
                1. Microscope preferred to telescope.
        C. While Lord tells us we should never be hypercritical, we should always be 
           discriminating.
                1. How are we to judge and "prove the spirits."

II. THIS VERSE INSTRUCTS US IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN PERSON AND PERSON.
    "GIVE NOT THAT WHICH IS HOLY."
        A. What does he mean by this?
                1. Dog not a domestic pet, but scavenger, fierce, half wild beast
                2. Swine that which is unclean.
                3. That which is holy, pearls, message of kingdom, His Word.
                4. He does not mean that this is our attitude to unbelievers.
                        a. How could we convert the unconverted?
                        b. He went on preaching to sinners.
                5. We must study practice of Christ.
                        a. He differentiated between person and person, type and type.
                                1. He does not handle two people in same way.
                        b. Handling of Nathaniel, Nicodemus, woman of Samaria.
                        c. Contrast handling of Pharisees and publicans, and sinners.
                        d. Contrast self righteous Pharisee and woman taken in sin.
                        e. Contrast Pilate and Herod morbid unhealthy curiosity.
                        f. Same truth but variety of methods adapted to the individual.
                6. The practice of the apostles.
                        a. Acts 18:46; not going to preach to Jews any longer, "that which was
                           holy."
                        b. Acts 18:6, "When they (the Jews) opposed themselves and blasphemed
                           he shook his head and said your blood be upon your own head."
                                1. People who had heard the truth but like dogs and swine
                                   rejected it, trampled it.
        B. Search it deeper.
                1. We must recognize different types in people and discriminate, there is no
                   mechanical way of testifying.
                        a. Some who witness this way, not only unscriptural but leads to great
                           feeling of self-righteousness.
                        b. Witnessing highest privilege.
                                1. Sales psychology.
                                2. Jesus advocated necessity for preparation, must know New
                                   Testament.
                2. We must become experts in knowing what to give to each type. You do not
                   handle Pilate and Herod the same.
                3. Careful in way we present truth, not offensive.
                        a. Are you saved?
                4. Know what particular aspect of truth to emphasis in particular cases.
                        a. Unbeliever should not be given anything but doctrine of
                           justification by faith.
                                1. We should not discuss any other doctrine with them.
                                2. Woman of Samaria wanted to converse of other things. Christ
                                   kept bringing her back to her sinful life and need of
                                   salvation.
                                3. To discuss election and predestination foolish.
                                        b. Even believers must be discriminated.
                                         1. Paul to Corinth, "I fed you with milk..."

III. CONCLUSIONS.
        A. The awful effect of sin on a man, dogs, swine.
                1. Total lack of appreciation for the beautiful.
        B. Truth is varied, truth is full, strong meat, milk.
                1. Hebrews, "Let's go on Melchisedec doctrine. 
                2. Ephesians, first nine verses, for believers only.