Pigs and Pearls
“. . . a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
One of my mentors is Dallas Willard. Dr. Willard fell asleep in Christ in 2013 but his teaching and wisdom remain today in his many books. (Warning: if you are interested in reading Dr. Willard’s books just know that they are not easy reads. In fact, they demand a lot of time spent rereading what he says, and reflecting on it.)
Richard Foster (another mentor of mine, and the author of “Celebration of Discipline” along with several other excellent books calling us to a deeper life in Christ) was speaking at a conference with Dallas Willard several years ago. Dallas presented his teaching, and after he was finished, he asked if there were any questions. One man from the audience stood up and took Dallas to task, arguing and seeking to refute many of the things he had said. Willard thanked the man for his comments and moved on to the next question.
After the session was over, Richard Foster asked Dallas Willard why he refused to engage in debate with this highly opinionated and rather prideful individual. Dallas responded by saying, “I’m practicing the spiritual discipline of not having to have the last word.”
It’s not easy to remain silent when we receive a barrage of angry words or criticism from others, but often the wisest thing we can do is not respond. Not responding is often a statement in itself.
Jesus cautioned us not to cast our pearls before pigs.
There are those who enjoy wallowing around in the mud of argumentativeness. Sometimes the last thing we need to do is get down in the mud with them. After all, most of the time, nothing good comes of it.
There’s something else here. Proverbs 16:21 tells us that the person who is able to rule his or her spirit is greater than the one who conquers a city.
As we mature in Christ, we will lose our need to respond or engage with those who relish stirring things up. We lose our need to have the last word.
In Christ,
Dan
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