SowersOfTheWord http://www.change.org/petitions/prosecute-the-killer-of-our-son-17-year-old-trayvon-martin# - March 21 add/view comments (0)

Do not give that which is holy-the sacred thing-to the dogs; and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you into pieces. (Matthew 7:6).

The disciples, who have already been exhorted to love their enemies (5:43-47) and not to judge (v.1), might fail to consider the subtleties of the argument and become un-discerning simpletons. This verse guards against such a possibility.

"Pigs" and "dogs" serve together as a picture of what is... (continue reading)

DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.
2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you deal out to others it will be dealt out again to you.
3 Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye, but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?... (continue reading)

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub, and by [the help of] the prince of demons He is casting out demons." 23 And He summoned them to Him, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 And if a house is divided-split into factions and rebelling-against itself that house will not be able to last. 26 And if Satan has raised an insurrection against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is [surely] coming to an end. 27 But no one... (continue reading)

Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard. (Proverbs 21:13).

13 Unmerciful people. Those who show no mercy will not obtain mercy. Measure for measure, justice is expressed by this cause and effect statement: Those who shut their ears from the cry of the poor (i.e., refuse to help) will not be listened to when they cry out for help. So justice is meted out for the omission of a commandment (Romans 13:8-10) as well as for evil acts (see the story of the... (continue reading)

I HAVE told you all these things so that you should not be offended-taken unawares and falter, or be caused to stumble and fall away, and to keep you from being scandalized and repelled. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues-expel you. But an hour is coming when whoever kills you will think and claim that he has offered service to God. 3 And they will do this because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But I have told you these things now so that when they occur you will remember that I... (continue reading)

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out of it. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. (Read: 1 Timothy 6:3-10).


Paul's young disciple Timothy had his hands full in Ephesus. The apostle left Timothy in that city to oversee the organization of the church. Timothy was to provide consistent teaching, help the church choose leaders, and model personal integrity.

Paul's first... (continue reading)