Believers should not cast pearls before swine because spiritual truth cannot be received by those who despise it; God alone opens the heart to respond.
Jesus warns in Matthew 7:6 not to give what is holy and precious to those who will trample it and turn on the giver. Les Feldick teaches that the natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God—they are spiritually discerned—so believers are to present the gospel faithfully, but wait on God to open eyes and hearts.
Matthew 7:6 — This is the verse the question asks about; it warns against throwing precious things before those who will trample them and turn on the giver.
1 Corinthians 2:14 — It explains the spiritual reason behind the warning: the natural man cannot receive spiritual truth because it is spiritually discerned.
Matthew 7:6 (KJV) gives the warning: "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." The verse sets what is holy and valuable against dogs and swine, showing the danger of giving sacred things to those who despise them.
Les Feldick does not directly quote Matthew 7:6 in these lesson clips, but he teaches the principle behind it throughout. He points to 1 Corinthians 2:14: the natural man "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God" and cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned. That is why believers can be patient with even the most resistant unbeliever and can leave the timing of understanding and belief to God (Clip 4).
No. Les emphasizes the responsibility to preach and proclaim the gospel. He quotes Romans 10:15: "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace" (Clip 1), and he says that through the foolishness of preaching the gospel, it transforms those who believe (Clip 2). The warning against casting pearls has to do with forcing truth on those who are firmly hostile, not with refusing to share the message.
Because spiritual truth is spiritually discerned. Les teaches from 1 Corinthians 2:14 that the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God—they are foolishness to him—and he cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned (Clip 4). This is why believers should be patient and leave the opening of eyes and hearts to God's timing.
In Clip 0 Les points to the Lord opening Lydia's heart, and to Jesus' statement to Peter that "flesh and blood didn't tell you that, but only the Father which is in heaven." In Clip 1 he says his own words are "nothing more than a tinkling cymbal unless God Himself opens hearts." This shows that God, in His foreknowledge, knows who will respond and opens hearts in His own time.
Les counsels patience rather than endless debate. He says, "I don't care if it takes three years for them to come to the place of understanding the gospel... I'm still going to be patient with them because I realize where they're coming from, that they cannot comprehend these things until God opens their eyes and their hearts" (Clip 4). The believer's responsibility is to faithfully present the message and leave the response to God.
God Opens Hearts
Les shows from Lydia and Peter that faith is not produced by flesh and blood; the Lord must open the heart and reveal truth.
God's Timing in Salvation
Les teaches that human words are only a tinkling cymbal unless God opens hearts; believers are sent to proclaim the gospel, but the response is God's timing.
The Power Is in the Preaching
Les explains that the preaching of the cross is what transforms those who believe—faith plus nothing—so the message itself is the instrument, not human argument.
Why the 12 Disciples Never Preached to Gentiles — Acts 1:8
I'm not about to tell my congregation that they can pick up poisonous snakes, or maybe the Kentucky Hill people can do it, but a lot of them don't get away with it either. It's not valid. It won't work. So what are you going to do? Force it? No. You just analyze the whole thing? Now wait a minute. This is all part and parcel of Christ and His earthly ministry.
Spiritual Discernment and Patience
Les teaches from 1 Corinthians 2:14 that the natural man cannot receive spiritual truth, so believers should be patient and leave the opening of eyes and hearts to God.
Who Goes Into the Kingdom? What the Bible Really Says
But see what the poor gentleman did not comprehend was that Jesus fully understood. He was not being bigoted. He had a heart for the Gentiles, but it wasn't time. But He had come to fulfill the promises made all the way back to Abraham. And so He commanded the twelve not to go to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Christ's Return to the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14 Explained.
These people who respond to the message of these 144,000 young Jews become believers, they minister to their physical need. But now look what happened to those who didn't care. The goats. Verse 41, "...then shall He say unto them on the left, Depart from Me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels for..." Now He goes through that same set of words. "...
Why the Jews Called Jesus Accursed — 1 Corinthians 12:3 Explained
He says, "...now concerning spiritual things, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." See, God does not want the most uneducated believer to be ignorant. There is absolutely no excuse for it. There are Bibles in every bookstore, and there are commentaries galore, but the Word of God can be understood by the lowliest, the most uneducated in the world. God has promised it.
Matthew 7:6: 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.
This is the verse the question asks about; it sets the command against casting what is precious before those who will reject it.
1 Corinthians 2:14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
This explains why the unregenerate person cannot receive spiritual truth, which is the basis for the warning about pearls before swine.
1 Peter 1:2: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Les uses this verse to show that God's elect are believers, chosen according to His foreknowledge.
Romans 10:15: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Les quotes this to affirm that believers are still called to proclaim the gospel.
1 Corinthians 1:21: For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
This supports Les's point that the preaching of the cross is the instrument God uses to transform those who believe.
The verse places 'pearls' in parallel with 'that which is holy.' In context, these represent the sacred truths of God and the gospel. The warning is against throwing such precious things to those who will trample them.
No. Les teaches that believers are to present the gospel to everyone they can, but they should not try to force a response. God is the one who opens hearts and creates understanding in His own timing.
Because the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God; they are foolishness to him. Until God opens the eyes and heart, the message cannot be comprehended.
Les says he is patient even if it takes three years for someone to come to the place of understanding the gospel. He leaves the opening of eyes and hearts to God's good timing.